LABOUR NOTES

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 10

LABOUR NOTES

(By D. O'J.5

Criticism oi apprenticeship systems has been general araong both masters and men for a long time past. Unfortunately it lias, in too many instances, been along pirty lines, and little good has resulted. Proposals for the alteration of the present indentures system have been made at times; but have never' passed beyond ths proposal stage. Recently a commit--tee from the Aldington Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants considered the matter in detail, and submitted proposals having for their basis the selection of boys,' under competent supervision, for different branches of work; periodical examinations, and advancement according to the progress made; with oversight also of the instruction given to the boys. At the Arbitration Court in Christchurch this week, the Hon. John Barr, in submitting recommendations in the saddlery dispute, said that something was wrong when apprentices were continually dropping out of the trade. Mr. Justice Stringer said the system of apprenticeship, as disclosed by the Court proceedings, was not satisfactory. Learners' wages wers fixed, and no incentive was offered for the display of enthusiasm. The only reward of a diligent apprenticeship was that he would be sure of a position at, the end of his training course. His Honour, from these remarks, would appear to be of opinion that an immediate reward for diligence is desirable in addition to the ultimate reward of assured employment, which apprentices, boylike, are apt to overlook. If tho Court, with its power to make an official investigation, takes the question in hand, some good should result.