WORK ESSENTIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 131, 30 November 1932, Page 10

WORK ESSENTIAL

UNEMPLOYED BOYS

CAMPAIGN OPENED TO-DAY

POSITIONS FOE 500

Though a good deal has already been done in . a quiet way the "Back to Prosperity" drive, tho goal of which is to find employment for at least 500 unemployed boys and youths of the city by'the end of the year, was-only officially set under way to-day. Before the commencement of the community sing in the Town Hall today, arranged in aid of the Mayor's fund by the Eadio Mystery Queen Committee, the. May or, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, introduced Mr. B. H. Niinmo, chairman, and members of the campaign committee, and urged that ' all possible support should be given the very laudable object in view. Mr. Nininio said that the Back to Prosperity campaign was aimed at finding positions for 500 boys, before Christmas. The committee, he said, had had abundant evidence to prove that all sections of the community view- : «d boy and youth unemployment, as perhaps the most tragic aspect of tho whole unemployment question. Hundreds of boys had left school imbued with, ambition and energy, to. be faced with the stark reality of unemployment. The V.M.C.A., in conjunction with the Rotary Club, had taken the problem up twelve months ago and had been successful in transferring from the -city to the country 230 boys, who to-day, instead of walking the streets, wore employed in useful productive work. In addition, 224 boys had been placed in positions in the city, but while that was a fine contribution the problem had now taken on so seriou3 an aspect that it must be tackled with the co-operation of all sections of the community. "Back to Prosperity" campaigns had been carned_on in Christehureh and in Sydne.w. with overwhelming success; 500 boys . had been placed in -work in Christchurch, and Wellington, he was certain, could do better. (Applause.) THE WORST ASPECT. "The tragedy goes deeper than mere lack of employment," continued Mr. Nimmo. "Unemployment has a demoralising effect upon the boys and young men in the city. Many have reached the stage of els it worth while?' and I don't care. 3 They are losing their energy and resourcefulness, which is altogether foreign to tue .spirit of the young New Zealander." Mr. Nimmo referred to the efforts of the group of business men, under Mr. P. Myers, who were carrying out a canvass of the city with a view to investigating all possibilities of placing boys, on the 'strict understanding, he emphasised, that all boys so placed should' be supernumerary to existing staffs: no man or boy was to b& displaced as a result of the employment of a boy in this way. In addition to that direct approach to the problem, retailers and manufacturers were co-operating in the endeavour to stimulate trade, for positions could not bo found and employment given unless tho community generally gave support to trade and industry. APATHY A REAL DANGER. "The great danger is apathy," said Mr. Nimmo. "A few days ago a wonderful performance was given at the Basin Eeserve by 1500 boy scouts after months of preparation, and it was a crying shame and a reflection upon the parents of the boys themselves that not more than 300 people turned up to watch their splendid demonstration." '' ■ GOVERNMENT POWERLESS. . A voice: It's not the parents' job: it ?s a Government job. s Mr. Nimmo: If you are going to lean on the Government; then you will get nowhere. Th"c Government is powerless in this matter. It cannot carry this load; it is a civic job, and I know that the people of Wellington will respond. Thank God New Zealand is not. comprised of people like this man ivho interjected. (Applause.) Over fifty-three millions of money was tied up in the banks of New Zealand, continued Mr. Nimmo. What was wanted was a loosening of the purse strings, to make it possible for the wheels of industry to turn again. Mr. W. Hustler Smith, president of the Commercial Travellers' Association, said that the mercantile community was in wholehearted sympathy with the campaign. New Zealand had been told to economise, but, economy did • not mean cessation of spending, but spending usefully and judiciously. The most practical help that could be given was to take "the old shilling from.under the clock, give- it a good •lusting, and put it into circulation." Trade would revive, work would be found, and a dark cloud would be lifted from many homes in the city.