LABOUR NOTES

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 11

LABOUR NOTES

Within the past few days Labour hasbeen prominently before the public at two deputations to Ministers dealing with the kindred questions of apprenticeship and technical education.. On the first occasion proposals for new apprenticeship legislation were outlined. These proposals have previously been mentioned in this column, and it is sufficient to say hero tba-t the principal points are: technical training in working hours and closer supervision by independent persons. The deputation had a, most favourable reception, and, if there is not too much procrastination, its work should be ''rewarded. The Prime Minister admitted that tho Arbitration Court, on which the solution of the apprenticeship problem has hitherto -rested, had not proved tho best authority for dealing with the question. Its time and attention Had been largely taken up with hours and wages questions in individual disputes, and apprenticeship had become a side issue. Once this is thoroughly realised progress along' other lines should bo possible. On the secondi occasion tho Trades and Labour Council representative, with members of numerous educatiortal and industrial bodies, met the Ministers to request that a. definite site should bo allocated for tho Technical College. Within recent years Labour has paid considerable attention to this important phase of tho efficiency movement, and has performed much good work from which results should shortly bo forthcoming.