BLOCKED BY THE BASIC WAGE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 8

BLOCKED BY THE BASIC WAGE

There is evidence that the position of young men under 21 unable to obtain employment on account of the liability of employers to pay them the basic wage rate of £3/16/- on reaching that age is becoming a public scandal. A great many of these were unab.e during the depression to find openings when they left school, xow that times are better employment is still barred to them, there is no difficulty with boys of sixteen, because by the time they have reached 21 they will have had the necessary experience and training to qualify for the basic.wage. Between the ages of 1/ and -1 the chances of obtaining employment steadily decrease with the shortening of the period of training. In considering the application of a youth of 18 an employer is forced to consider whether in three years’ time he will be Mortn a wage approximating £4 a week. In many instances the application is rejected. There are scores of cases where young men who have been unable to get in their full training before reaching 21 have had to be turned adrift because their services are, not worth the basic wage. Unless something is done to rectify this cruel injustice—an injustice due entirely to the Government’s insistence that all workeis under awards on reaching the age of 21 must receive the basic wage of £3/16/-, based on requirements of a man, wife, and three children —hundreds of these young men will drift into the sustenance ranks, and will probably be ruined for life. There may be reason in paying a man of 21 with a wife and three children the basic wage, but if he has no such responsibilities, or marital responsibilities in a lesser degree, there should be a commensurate scaling-down. This inequity is double-edged. In addition to the handicap imposed on youths seeking employment, it forces them to leave school at an earlier age than is considered desirable by those who believe in a full secondary school course as the best preparation for efficient citizenship. The Government cannot be altogether blind to the effects of its legislation on the youth of the country, nor can it afford to turn a deaf ear to the protests that are being made. It should face this question without delay, and take steps to readjust the position.