LEARNING THE TRADE.

Evening Star, Issue 22343, 20 May 1936, Page 12

LEARNING THE TRADE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Tlie Otago. Hairdressers and Tobacconists’ Assistants’ Union desires to draw the attention of tho parents of children who wish to learn hairdressing, to the fact that a certain firm has in its employment 10 girls and one hoy, who have paid sums from £2O to £SO to learn the trade. Under tho present law it is quite legal to accept a premium for teaching this trade, but parents should make enquiries as to the facilities for so teaching. In tho establishment in question, the teacher, after about a year’s training, is paid the princely sum of £1 a week to train 10 girls. The facilities for teaching are prac-

tically nil, for there is hardly any equipment available for one pupil. There is one heater only for curling tongs, and the room in which all the girls work in at ono time is about 12ft square. There arc quite a lot of matters that I could write about, hut these will he dealt with by the proper authority. My object in placing this matter before the public is to warn parents not to pay these large sums when there is no opportunity for their children to learn the trade.

The amendment to the Shops and Offices’ Act makes provision that it will bo unlawful for any firm to take a premimum for teaching the trade. The sooner this comes into force the. better it will be for the workers.—l am, etc., AV. AA r . Batcheogb, May 20. (Secretary)