LIMITED RANGE

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 4

LIMITED RANGE

While there may be plenty of opportunities for youth in the fields of mining and forestry, as well as the public service and shops and offices, these offer but. limited scope for the intellectual abilities of those who could make far greater advances in the world. As it is, the amount of unskilled labour now required in the coal

mines is a diminishing quantity, and will continue so to be, while tlie present shortage of workers in the sawmilling industry cannot last longer than the forests are available. Left, only then, arc the “soft collar” jobs which are very limited in the chances of advancement they offer. The establishment of new industries, directly related to our principal raw materials, would seem to be the solution if equal opportunity is to be given all. Even in such industries, a considerable amount of unskilled labour would be required, ' but further opportunities in engineering and mechanical work could be provided. It is a question to which West Coast bodies have directed too little attention in the past, but it is one which may have very important contributions to make to the prosperity of the province in the future. To-day boys are not all prepared to follow the occupation of their father—youth has become more independent than ever, whether for good or evil—and new channels must be devised to fit the right type into the most appropriate job. Vocational guidance, and the work of apprenticeship committees can make a substantial contribution. Their work can be commended to those who would like to go down on record as having rendered civic service to the community. I