THE BASIC WAGE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 131, 30 November 1936, Page 4

THE BASIC WAGE.

EfFECT ON SCHOOLS

POLICIES AT VARIANCE

' "The/position, is paradoxical and incongruous, and shows a -lack of coordination between two policies of the Gefvernment,", said Mr. E. Wilson, headmaster ,of the Hahulton High: School, at. the meeting- Of the Board of Governors, of^ the ;schopron Friday, when referring to.'the fact that v/hile the Government was extending the leaving age of school children and had extended the free-place, system to - children up to the age of 19, at the same/time, by. making' tlie basic wage applicable to those wlio had reached the, age of 21, it gave- little: opportunity to those Over the age of 15 of learning a trade or profession, (reports the "New land Herald")., , '■.-■'.- ! , The subject was introduced by Mr. F..' A. Snell, who said the :'board should use,, every endeavour to induce children to take full advantage of the educational facilities offered by the school over the full course. Children, he said, were only beginning to obtain the benefits of a secondary education at the end of their second year, and for them to leave.at that time was only to waste the country's money. " •■' ,The chairman, Mr. C. L. MacDiarmid, said the Minister of Education was certainly encouraging children to remain longer at school than they had done in the past. The fixing of the basic wage when the worker reached the age of 21; however, was making it very difficult for children over the age of 15 to'find employment. In answer to a question, Mr. Wilson said that the recent decision of' the Arbitration Court, in fixing the basic wage was hardly having an effect yet. A boy commencing work at 15 and starting atvlss a week should receive a rise of 25s on reaching the age of 21, while a boy commencing wprk at 18 was required, to be paid 41s more on reaching the age of 21 than he would be receiving at 20J. Applications had already been received for boys and girls of 15. Those over this age were apparently not wanted. Mr. Wilson said the fixing of the basic wage at 21 was likely to have a disastrous effect on school attendances next year. He thought the basic, wage should not apply until the worker had reached the*age of 23. The following resolution was carried:—"That this board fears that the effect of the basic.wage, being operative at 21 will nullify the policy of the Minister of Education in regard to the I extension of the school-leaving age and asks the Minister, to make an investigation into the position wth regard to the possibility of co-ordinating the Government's education and industrial policies." ,