A NATIONAL PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 3

A NATIONAL PROBLEM

FINDING wbRK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS MASTERTON COMMITTEE’S ■ . * SUGGESTIONS Problems arising out of the lack of employment for boys and girls Who have left school, were considered at a meeting in Masterton last week, convened by .the Labour Department, and observations and suggestions detailed below were, states the “Age,” drawn up, and are to be transmitted to the Prime Minister. 1. The menace of recurring unemployment on a wide scale, particularly in the winter months, challenges the earnest consideration of the Government and people of the Dominion. The institution of relief works and other palliatives leaves the basic causes unsolved. 2. The difficulty of finding employment for boys and girls leaving school is a reproach to a virile and progressive Dominion. 3. Entry into “blind alley” occupations and casual or unskilled employment must be curtailed. Apprenticeship. 4. Existence of prevailing conditions cannot be attributed to the regulations governing apprenticeship. The committee recognises the justice of limitations, and that the interests of tradesmen should not be subordinated to the interests of apprentices. In general, the conditions governing indenture are on sound lines, and well observed alike by trades unions and by employers. Nevertheless, it is recommended that no effort be spared toward discovery of any improvements therein. Urban Drift. 5. The committee is of opinion that the fundamental trouble is the disparity between the numbers of those engaged in primary production and ot those in other pursuits. . , . 6. Without discouraging or deprecating the establishment and extension ot secondary industries and manufactories, the committee strongly urges the adopttion of means substantially to increase the numbers of those engaged in primary industries, agricultural, pastoral, and marine. ... , Closer Settlement. 7. To that end action is urged along the following lines : — (a) The promotion of closer settlement on suitable areas. The committee notes with approval the promise recently made by the I’rime Minister to take definite and early steps to this end. (b) The provision of training farms; on such lines that students, on expiry of their period of training, may be enabled (practically and financially) to enter into occupation of small improved holdings. (c) Extension of the provisions and facilities for rural advances on generous but sound lines. There will inevitably be losses under advances in individual cases, but the sum of such losses will probably be much less than the economic loss to the country through those individuals idleness or maintenance on relief works. Country Work. S The committee is of opinion that entry, both by boys and girls, into employment in the country districts might be encouraged (a) by improvement (in many cases) of the conditions of housing and living, and widening the opportunities for companionship and social intercourse. (b) By the institution of group settlements, (e) By-removiug the widespread misconception of the status and conditions of rural employment and placing such employment on its proper plane and in right perspective (1) by enlisting the interest and help of teacheis, (2) bv extension of facilities for agricultural training prior to entry into training farms: (3) by concerted action bv farmers to induce town boys to visit farms during the school vacations. The Educational Trend. 9. The committee further recommends inquiry into the effect and trend of the modern educational system, in both primary and secondary schools, with spemereial education in secondary schools, tern; (b) matriculation examination: (e) raising the status of agricultural science; (d) the advisability or otherwise of commercial education in secondary cshools, (e) diversion to technical schools of certain scholars, and subjects now attend-

ing or taught in secondary schools. Transport factors. 10. The committee considers that the ” recently formed Ministry of Transport might with advantage direct research toward reduction Of transport cost of farm produce and supplies. Such savings would directly enhance the revenue derivable from farming and enable and encourage the breaking in of new lands, with consequent increased demand for labour. (Note. —The decline in horse-drawn transport has been a heavy blow to agriculturists, in the lessened demand for chaff, oats and straw, reducing the ranks of ploughmen and other agricultural workers.) Tariff. 11. Recognising the effect on industry (whether primary or secondary) of tariffs and taxation, the committee recommends close survey of the whole fiscal system of the Dominion. ‘ 12. The committee directs the chairman to transmit the foregoing to the Secretnry for Labour, for submission to tbc Prime Minister. . The report is signed for the committee by Mr. Chas. M. Bowden.