YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 8

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

There are many reasons for immediate action to deal remedially with the problem of youth employment, but the most pressing can be reduced to an all-embracing two: first, the serious extent of unemployment among youths and young men who had no opportunity of learning a trade or entering a professional occupation during the depression; and, secondly, the manifold difficulties imposed upon potential employers in assuming responsibility for the adequate ti anting of apprentices. A third reason may be considered because it affects the future of unemployed youths. It is certain that, unless a better system of absorbing youths into skilled industry can be devised, many of them will inevitably become either maladjusted workers usually known as “misfits,” or drifters more or less dependent upon some form of assistance at the expense of the community. It is conceded by the Government that the problem demands attention, and the Acting-Prime Minister of Labour. llon. P. C. Webb, has announced that conferences will be held shortly with representatives of the various employers’ organisations and trade unions. Since there is no argument about the need for constructive effort, no time should be lost in devising practical remedies. It will be essential first to select delegates whose authority, competence, and knowledge for dealing with the complicated problem no one could deny, and then agree to look squarely at all difficulties, whether these be industrial, economic or political. It should be recognised that compromise is usually better than compulsion in overcoming difficulties of this nature. Immediate remedial measures, however, only touch a part of the problem. The effect of the application of the basic wage to 21-year-olds requires, close investigation in regard to its repercussions on the secondary schools. Concessions to youths set back in their prospects by the depression should soon relieve them of their disabilities, but the larger part of the question will still remain. Its effect' upon the education system, and upon the citizenship of the future, will continue until the whole position has been radically altered to the extent that boys will be encouraged to remain at school till they have covered the complete course, instead of leaving, as they arc now doing in large numbers, before they have half-finished it.