JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1929, Page 10

JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT

DOMINION’S GREAT PROBLEM (Per Press Association.)' AUCKLAND, February 9. Replying to a representative deputation, who urged that steps be taken to provide work for thousands of workless young people in the Dominion, the Minister of Education (Mr Atmore) said: Unless you have the people on the land, there simply isn t work in the centres, of population. The young New Zealand boy is shrewd enough to find himself a good job in town if there is one to be had. Un r -, fortunately, it is not there to be got. Mr Fletcher, M.P., suggested applying the Flock House scheme to New Zealand boys, with certain modifications. He also mentioned a brickmaker’s offer of land which could be available for a school for twenty years, and had offered a subsidy of £7OO per annum for 37 years. The school would be capable of training 25 boys. Mr F. A. Garry, said the Apprentices’ Act might require an overhaul. There might have to be a change in the education policy or land policy or a new land policy to restrict the tendency of young people to remain in towns. Mr Atmore: Both.

Mr Garry asked that an official committee be appointed to co-operate with an officer carefully chosen, who would co-ordinate the work of the committee and the Department, preparing a register of unemployed girls and boys and keep in touch with all spheres of employment. Mr Atmore said this was the greatest problem that had been faced by any Government. Everything turned on the development of land. The education policy had given children a bias in favour of office work. This would have to be corrected. The permancy of employment and opportunity for the youth of New Zealand would not be assured till every large holding had been sub-divided. Small farms would work wonders. He promised that the Government would not delay prosecution of its vigorous land settlement policy. Lamentable as it might sound, the immediate position could only be met by palliatives. He favoured suggestions that had been made and would bring the matter of a conference concerning apprenticeship under notice of the Minister of Labour-