LEAVING SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 11

LEAVING SCHOOL

WORK.; FOR BOYS During tho recent short session of Parliament tho now Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. .A. Veitch,- informed the House that he intended to look into the question of ■ the ; finding of employment for the large number of: boys that would | shortly-be leaving- the schools of-the" Dominion* During the past two or three years., many- of the.. ; boys-ihaye experienced some difficulty in securing open-ings.-This is no doubt, largely due to the recent.trade depression. The Minister- considers that ; the matter ■ is one of. very:great,-.importance, not ; only-to the boys themselves but to:tho Dominion as a wholes as 'the -welfare -of the Dominion's jindustries, iS;.largely dependent upon .the present 'generation of boys, who, will become the man-power of the future, . ■-. „._-. ••.- [■■/.<. • \ ■ ■ -. . ,• . • The .Department of Labour., has; already made , ■ an throughout its various .branches.,to ..establish exchanges through which .particulars of the ..boys leaving schools and desiring, employment were obtained,'.. and employers requiring the services of boys were invited to -. apply for tho .labour they might require.-; ..The response*from the employers ; tO; the invitations issued has; however, so• far,- been -..very ■'. small. As already stated,,; the-; ; reason is no j doubt . due id- the , v trade. depression; moreover, it .is understood that--most i employers have.-.tlieif own ; waiting.lists of boys" and make' their Own engagements directly. -It is thought desirable, however,,, that ;a comprehensive system should, if., possible*: be instituted-by means pi the- establishment- of i juvenile labour-employment ..-cxichangos,: and tho Department- iias -..been.-. instl-uctcd to j make inquiries taceordingiy.

' As it has been,found that-many voluntary v organisations, have been . interesting themselves in ..the- question, .such as chambers ,6f~.cbmmeree, Eotary clubs,-Y.M.C.A-.j ■JjoySv';institutes,-1 aiid;also the various branches of the Institute,: it. is..intended 1 to invite these bodies: to' co-operate':i*itn tho officers :of the Department of Labour in setting up local committees. /' -: Representatives of the employees' organisations will also be invited-to., join the committees. -It is hoped by-this means to' obtain general co-oi)eration between all the bodies concerned, or: interested'-ln this •-'important question;-.■...■■::••■'■>,'' ;.-,■:• :•"-::■ -•>■/■ "-" '