OUR APPRENTICES

Grey River Argus, 23 July 1941, Page 8

OUR APPRENTICES

Apprentices are the most exploited section of the woik ing-class in N.Z. It is high time the Government took definite action to remove this blot on our industrial system.

Most working-class parents are particularly concerned with the future of their sons. They provide them with the best possible education with their limited nieams, very often making heavy sacrifices in the process. An occupation that will eventually provide the best prospects for constant employment, with decent wages, next occupies the anxious parents’ minds. To equip their sons with knowledge of a skilled trade is a favourite selection, and is generally the only course within reach of the average parents’ pocket. And so an employer is sought. As the number of apprentices is limited by the’extent of industry, many parents are unsuccessful in their quest The employer is in a position to take his pick from the many youths offering. He naturally selects the best educated, Hie brightest and the keenest youths for his establishment. Apprentices are accepted between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Whatever his age, he starts mi the same wage.

Takiii”- the metal trades as an example that wage is 14/10 per week (nett). It rises by a few shillings every 6 months until 4 years have been served. After 4 years’ service, the young fellow, now from 20 to 22 years of age, receives the magnificent wage of 49/8 to 54/5 per week (nett). But theie are young men on the Coast who were engaged on an oldei contract who only receive 42/6 per week (nett).

It is quite obvious that the parents of these youths have had to feed, clothe, and generally sustai " ticeshin extent out of their own slender resources. The apprentices p system, with'its present paltry wages, is a source of great satisfaction to the employers. They enjoy a supply of cheap labour which brings them great profit.

The Hon. Mr Webb, in a statement published in the “Ai-us” of July 9th, patted the Government on the back for its action in subsidising auxiliary workers for various trades, including the metal trades. These workers are paid £4/13/6 per week for 16 weeks, after which they are absorbed into industry at a wage of £5/5/- per week (less tax). It goe without saying that an apprentice at the end of 4 jeais . much more capable than an auxiliary worker. As a mattci or fact, apprentices are being used to tram: these And yet we find that apprentices, after serving 4 years in the industry, receiving much less than half the wage received ,y other workers after 4 months in a technical school. ,

Is it any wonder that apprentices are discontented? —

The belief is prevalent that our sister Dominion, Australia. is behind N.Z. in industrial legislation. In some respects that may be true. But in the protection of apprentic . from undue exploitation it is well ahead of this country. A neZal of the current Australian Metal Trades Award shows apprentices there receive substantially higher wages than XS". A last-year apprentice in £3/8/- per week. Legislation also exists making it compilsorv for an employer to pay not less than the basic wage to a worker over 21 years. Consequently, an apprentice, oa reaching 21 years, must receive not less than £4 odd per we v (it varies according to the State), whatever year he may he m.

Tt should not he difficult to stop this shameful exploita- ,. h Z best workinv-class youth and thereby eaSe the Zien from their long-suffering parents. Industry is booming and profits are high. Employers can well afford to par their apprentices higher wages.

The Government is entitled to its pat on the back for its liberal treat ™ of those young workers brought into the ’Zed Se? under the auxiliary workers’ scheme.

,« «ov— “ZVbXZ Z" :pUt‘ced e youth“e a fair deal on the matter of wages.