CHILD ALLOWANCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4278, 12 May 1950, Page 3

CHILD ALLOWANCE

AGE EXTENSION URGED TURUA INSTITUTE’S REMIT “Soon we will have no tradesmen, for youths today are seeking jobs with big money, passing by an apprenticeship. For this reason the Turua Women’s Institute formed' the remit which you are now being asked to consider,” said Mrs C. V. Marceau, of Turua, at the annual council meeting of the Thames-Hauraki Plains District Federation of Women’s Institutes. The remit read: “That the Government be urged to extend the child allowance to apprentices in a trade until the age of 18 years.” It was pointed out that children going to equip themselves for a future position qualified for the allowance until 18 years of age. As the apprentice was also equipping himself in life and very often his parents could not help him, why should he not be treated like the school pupil? It was generally appreciated that adolescents became very discontented if they did not receive enough money and if the Government could see its way clear to include apprentices in this allowance, more, lads would feel like taking up the work.

Dr Mr Barkas, delegate for the Thames Coast Women’s Institute, said that when this was discussed by her institute, it was decided to support it, although it felt the remit should have a much wider meaning. There were many young people up to 18 years in trades in all walks of life who, because they were working, did not get the allowance. Karitane nurses were an example. Dr Barkas moved that the remit be broadened to include “ . . . and afi other young people in training until 18 years.” The remit was rewritten to include this addition and passed.