TRAINING YOUTHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 12

TRAINING YOUTHS

GOVERNMENT SCHEME

SUBSIDY TO BE PROVIDED

DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Details of a scheme devised by the Government for subsidising the wages of apprentices in the building and allied trades out of employment funds were announced by the Acting Minister of Labour (the Hoh. P. C. Webb) last night. The subsidies, which range from 5s to £1 5s v week, are intended to provide employment for young men who missed \their opportunity to learn skilled trades during the depression. They cover a period of three years in the carpentering and joinery trade, and two years in the bricklaying trade, amounting in the first year to almost half the total wages paid. The Minister gave the following de-. tails of the scheme:— CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. Commencing at 18 years of age: First year, 15s (£1 12s 6d); second year, 10s (£2 12s 6d); third year, 5s (£3 7s 6d). « Commencing at 19 years of age and over: First year. £1 (£2 2s 6d); second year, 15s (£3 2s 6d); third year, 10s (£4 2s 6d). BRICKLAYERS. Commencing at 18 years of age: First year, £1 (£2 2s 6d); second year, 10s (£3 2s 6d). Commencing at 19 years of age and over: First year, £1 5s (£2 12s 6d); second year, 10s (£3 12s 6d). Rates thereafter will be at the scale of pay for journeymen. Mr. Webb said he had discussed in Dunedin with Mr. Ross, of the Carpenters' Union, and with officers of - the union, the question of training and fitting for useful work in the building trade young men between the ages of 18 and 25 years'. Mr. Ross's organisation had agreed to render every possible assistance, believing the scheme one of the best investments initiated for some time. It was quite evident, in view of the very progressive housing scheme conducted by the Government, along with the contemplated construction of many necessary public buildings, that the shortage of skilled artisans became the determining factor as to the extent of the progress that could be made.' ■ . TRAINING OUR OWN MEN. The Government was placed in an awkward position' owing to this shortage of skilled artisans, and to overcome it theirs was a problem that had to be faced.from two angles—first, the importation of skilled artisans from overseas; and secondly, the question of extending the helping hand to our own young men between 18 and 25 years of age. The Government decided on the latter course. ' The Minister explained that the committee of departmental heads appointed by the Government to consider all aspects of the question had recommended that subsidies should be paid to young men entering the building and allied trades, and that the Education Department should be asked to make available all facilities in technical schools for classes in building construction. Following this recommendation he had convened 'a conference with representatives of the New Zealand Federation of Labour and labour organisations in Wellington, followed by conferences in Dunedin and Christchurch. . ' ' The Dunedin representatives, headed by Mr. Ross, were most enthusiastic and they submitted many valuable suggestions. Mr. Ross had stated that in his union membership he had a considerable number of very experienced carpenters and tradesmen, who, on account of age or infirmities, were not able to hold their position in the contract world of employment of today, but who could render valuable service in training young men, and even go so far as to take on the. construction of houses. He (Mr. Webb) had promised that facilities would ■be provided by which these men's services would be made available to the community. , In Christchurch a large conference of trade union representatives unanimously endorsed the scheme, and in turn it was wholeheartedly approved by special apprenticeship committees to which it was referred. Present indications pointed to excellent work in this field of industry. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. "To provide the necessary facilities to enable the instruction to prove fruitful may of course involve the expenditure of a considerable amount of money," said Mr. Webb, "but I am confident that the scheme will be an unqualified success, and that many young men will be taught the different trades wnile the expert services of men now being wasted on sustenance will be availed of. A further conference will be held in Wellington at an early date, and all officers of the Labour.Department throughout New Zealand have been advised to put_their best efforts into the scheme and to work on it; with enthusiasm."