PLACEMENT SCHEME

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12914, 16 July 1936, Page 7

PLACEMENT SCHEME

NINE WEEKS’ WORK.- _( 'JOBS FOUND.FOB 1479 ‘ A dominion SURVEY. (Special to the Times). WELLINGTON, ■ July 15. , ‘<l am very gratified indeed with the results so early 'achieved by . the scheme and look upon it as. a substantial contribution towards the permanent solution of the un cm ploy nien t problem,” said the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. -Armstrong), when releasing the - following stateon the placement scheme. ; Jr A Dominion-wide survey of the operation of the Placement Scheme recently inaugurated by the Employment division of .my Department has just been concluded. The outstanding observation is that, the scheme has been warmly welcomed by the Press, the public, and the unemployed as a direct and effective plan promising to yield the maximum advantage ' to those unfortunate enough to- be without normal' employment. Experience has demonstrated that 3 considerable time invariably elapses before the public ns a whole be-' comes conversant with the objects and provisions of any scheme designed to promote employment. The placement scheme, however, was launched only "tiin?: weeks ago but despite the fact- that initial unavoidable delay occurred in selecting suitable personnel, securing accommodation and printing the various forms and index cards, 147') l|nen have already Iren placed in -tin-. /*sY;bsidised private employment, practically all having been from the regt? ter of relief workers. This result provides a complete and effective answer to that small minority which claims that the relief registers contain.main ly tho name of thoss who are unfit, inefficient, or unwilling to work. INCREASES G CONFIDENCE. In. each of the 19 placement centres there is 'definite evidence that cm--plovers are, to an increasing extent, recognising the scheme as a depend-able:-and direct service which has already proved its usefulness and convenience when gauged• fjoin the strict ly business viewpoint. The earlier idea that an employer would be inconvenienced by “official dom” or that a. sympathetic plea would hide the efficiency of the candidate, has already been dispelled • in place of this has arisen recognition and appreciation of xne tact that kfnmong those enrolled at placement •centres are men able to compote on equal terms with those whose service has been continuous throughout the term of the economic depression. , One outstanding instance of the efficient service provided is worthy of mention—at 3.10 p.m. a call lor two seamen to leave New Zealand at p.m. on the same day was received by the placement office; 'at 3.35 live seamen were actually en route lor selection arid three (instead of two) at the scheduled time. RESULTS SPEAK. Up to the 4th instant no fewer than 1,479 men had been given wiiat one described ns “the key to a new world—the world of work and independence of public assistance I’’ This figure includes some men beyond SO years of age, and men up to four years’ relief service, hut does not include even one man placed in the service of any State Department or locy al body. These 1,479 men were restarted to normal private gainful employment. In theory one man placed in regular ..‘employment creates an opening for another; if this bo sound in. actual practice, it would appear that the value- of the placement scheme has been very modestly measured. INDUSTRIAL BAROMETER. Hereunder are quoted the .progressive weekly placement totals since the commencement of the scheme. These figures are doubly interesting inasmuch .'as they represent an industrial barometer, recording tho increasing buoyancy in trade conditions. The figures are,as under: — Up to May 30. —150 casual or temporary, 125 permanent; total 279. Juno -6,; 1936.—259 casual or temporary, 234 permanent; total 493. June 13.—357 casual or temporary 347 permanent; total 704. June 20.—452 casual or temporary, - 400 pierinarie'rit; total 942. June 27.-543 casual or temporary, 623 permanent; total, 1166. * July 4.—663 casual of temporary, 623 permanent,; total 1479. Grand t0ta1.—5063. „ expansion OF FIELD.

Placement, centres have hern established at, Wharigafei, Auckland, Hamilton! .Napier., Nov Plymouth, Wanghrni.i, Palmerston North, Ainsterton, Lover Hutt, Pet one, WoL’iiigton, Nelson,. Grcymou'th, Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill—l9 centres in all. The official view of the possibilities of the scheme may he judged by my decision to establish a placement centre at Hastings -. and to afford to tradesmen and- . farm operatives in country districts an opportunity of enrblting -under ' 'the scheme which hithbrto lias been restricted to thos ■ residing wothin convenient distance ‘‘-t-of the centre's “home area.” -Arrangements will also be made, for a specially qualified., officer to visit all camps '(other-than' those on '.standard Public.- Works) record the industrial qualifications of all tradesmen -locat-

ed ■ therein and, subsequently endeavour to secure for them private employment o‘ a'nature calling for the exercise of that particular skill lor which they laboured tor years to attain. MOBILITY OF LABOUR. -.Bach placement centra is supplied with a w-ekly staferiient showing the classes or" labour available in all oth,centres. This ' information is'- circulated each Tuesday and represents current enrolments as at the preceding Saturday ; it ■ is, 'therefore, as up-to-date :-as. possible. Each placement officer is: thus 'in''a particularly favourable position to draw upon the Dominion; resources of any class of labour not 1 available at his own centre. This facility has been availed of to a somowiiat surprising extent and in itself • should demonstrate the benefit which is available to employers. DEARTH OF CERTAIN TRADESMEN. Reference to the Dominion enrolments reveals the dearth of cart.a in class'es of skilled labour—efficient upholsterer's arc unobtainable, sheet metal workers, “A” grade motor mechanics, surveyors and archilretur al and engineering drnuglit.-.men . are surprisingly few. VERIFICATION OF TESTIMONIALS. Nothing likely to enhance the value of the service offered is lacking. In all - eases testimonials submitted 1 y applicants are verified by reference to the .signatories./The result has proved the wisdom of such a course. On the other hand, pleasing results have also been obtained. In several eases ■ employ-rs approached for this purpose have evinced genuine surprise that an applicant should be unemployed and have spontaneously intimated their readiness to immediately re-engage him. ABSENCE OF COMPLAINTS. An astonishing feature is that only three of the 1,479 men placed have re-applied for further employment by reason of having been discharged. This position appears remarkable’ hilt is vouched for as correct, it certainly is a striking tribute to the men. each of whom, when- selected for a vacant position, is asked to show his appreciation of the scheme by “playing the game” and rendering a lair ;• turn of service. SCHEME OPEN TO ALL, Though iu. a few centres the placement enrolments actually exceed the relief registrations, it does not appear to he universally realised that fcao scheme is open to ad males—men, youths, and boys. Applicants are net called upon to “nil in forms,” to disclose casual earnings or relief payments, or to reveal their domestic circumstances; further, there, is no check between the placement and relief records—actually there is no basis which could provide effective comparison. The Employment Bureau and the placement offices are separate and cEs id net • a man may enrol for placement oven though, he is. not eligible for or cl sires relief. TMPRO’VEMfiNTS EFFECTED. As was expected first-hand- examination of the 19 centres revealed the necessity for minor adjustments and .those were effected on the spot I am advised that the system is now adequate xo promptly cope with any reasonable demand and that the enthusiasm and zeal of the various placement staffs is most pronounced-.-APPRECIATION. The employment division has received material assistance in its efforts to effect rehabilitation of the unemployed. Publicity is essential lor the success of any such venture and in this respect the Press of ihc Dominion has been most generous and helpful, while the national broadcasting service, owner.-; of certain “IP’; class 'radio stations, cinema managers and many other organisat’oris and individuals have afforded valuable and valued co-operation.

To all those I tender the thanks of the Government, for it is largely duo to their support that the placement scheme has - magnificently established itself as a commercial and industrial facility offering prompt, free and efficient service to employers and substantial ’benefit to . the unemployed, and . promises to become the national -clearing house for labour of ail types.