YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 July 1937, Page 2

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

FARM TRAINING. SUBSIDISED EMPLOYMENT. The Labour Department recently invited the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to ■ outline any contemplated labour difficulty in respect of the coming season in the hope that mutual discussion would reveal an acceptable method of meeting the position. The union representatives reported that, though the season has n.ot 3'et commenced, a heavy demand for labour is evident, and is regarded as evidence that a later numerical shortage would inevitably occur. The representatives suggested that to avoid an undesirable position, and at the same time enable a number of young men to acquire some knowledge of farming operations instead of being compelled to depend upon sustenance, farmers be given somo incentive to engage them at tho rates of remuneration laid down in the Agricultural Workers’ Act, 1936.

The acting-Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb) yesterday stated that the Government was very pleased to receive the suggestion, which would improve the position of young men between the ages of 18 and 25 who were registered and eligible for relief, and, it is hoped, lead to permanent employment in . many eases. The present proposal, of course, wap more to meet an anticipated emergency than to represent Government policy in a long-range programme. The problem of providing tor an adequate supply of labour to meet the requirements of our primary industries has been receiving the attention of the Government continuously since it assumed office, and the importance of this question is fully appreciated. ENCOURAGING FARM WORK. Concrete proposals are at present in course of preparation designed to encourage boys to take up farming as their life’s work, but to be successful such a scheme must be comprehensive, commencing with vocational guidance in the schools, post-primary training where practicable, some years of practical work as farm assistants and trainees, and, last but not least, some outlook in life as an ultimate goal to be aimed at.

It has, therefore, been decided that farmers willing to employ inexperienced but otherwise suitable registered and eligible young men between the ages of 18 and 25 years will be reimbursed over a period of six months generally to the extent of six sustenance allowance which otherwise would be payable. A strict condition of the plan will he that statutory remuneration will he paid and reasonable living conditions and opportunity for practical training offered. The conditions of the plan provide that youths registering for relief after this date must produce satisfactory evidence of age, that the subsidy shall not he payable to any farmer who is considered to have dispensed with regular labour to take advantage of the subsidy, and that on completion of the six-monthly engagement the farmer shall -supply a certificate showing the range of duties performed by the candidate and the manner in which they were carried out.

The Farmers’ Union has offered the assistance of its branches in investigating disputes and submitting to the department a recommendation as to the action to be taken; this evidence of a desire to co-operate with the Government has been gladly accepted.