BOY UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1934, Page 13

BOY UNEMPLOYMENT

SERIOUS PROBLEM

IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED

The serious problem of the numbers of boys and girls leaving school and college and unable to get work engaged the attention of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers' Association, yesterday afternoon.

The following remit from Christchurch was moved by Mr. G. M. Keys, president-elect:—

That the A T.Z.T.S.T.A. endorses the remits relating to juvenile unemployment which were passed at the 1933 conference and cni bodied in a subsequent comprehensive report on this subject, and urges upon the Government the necessity for giving fuller and urgent consideration to these proposals. —(Christchurch). Mr. Keys said that the report presented last year aroused a good deal of attention aud discussion throughout the Dominion, and was recognised as containing a number of constructive suggestions. The most disappointing feature had been that whereas public opinion on the matter had been considerably stirred, no Government action had been taken.

The problem had grown considerably more serious throughout the year, said Mr. Keys, particularly that aspect of it relating to the necessity for making provision for compulsory continuation classes for youths who were neither at school nor at work. There was ample evidence as to the very great desirability for definite action being taken. There was evidence, too, that in centres where special Masses were established the attendance of unemployed boys was not satisfactory, particularly in the case of those tfcpys most in need of organised activity and discipline.

Mr. H. A. Jones (Auckland), in seconding the motion, emphasised the need for immediate steps being taken to Seal with what was a deplorable position.

The remit was adopted unanimously.