TALENTS GO BEGGING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 1 May 1937, Page 6

TALENTS GO BEGGING

AFTERMATH OF THE SLUMP WORK OF PLACEMENT SERVICE [Special to "The Mail J WELLINGTON, 30th April. 1 have had supplied to me some interesting details recording the success of the Stale Placement Service in placing in satisfactory private work men who had for varying periods been employed in jobs that lead nowhere, and offer no valuable experience. As is generally known, when businesses were compelled to close, or to reduce staffs during the depression, many of the employees had to accept any kind of work that offered a means of livelihood. As time went on, these men found it increasingly difficult to get back into their trades,, many employers being doubtful of the qualifications of men who had been so long away from skilled work. The coming of the Placement Service changed this view-point, with the result that many hundreds of skilled tradesmen and other capable. workers have been reinstated in useful trades and occupations. Among the men discovered by Placement Officers was a shorthand-typist earning meagre wages as a stable hand. Intense dislike of his job, and the hopelessness of his prospects, were having a bad effect on his character, but he became a changed man when a position in a merchant’s office was found for him. His talents are now being directed into useful channels. Then there was the case of a fullyqualified plumber, who had drifted into labouring work in a grain store. Now, it •will be conceded that a plumber who knows his job is a real asset to any community, and the Service quickly found an employer willing to give him a trial. He is now on the permanent staff of a city firm.

There were peculiar features in the case of a man, well over 40, who was pottering about a city, doing odd jobs in various machifie shops. He is a married man, clean-living, and the official certificates he holds stamp him as an outstandingly efficient engineer. Yet his applications for employment were always unsuccessful, though, as I have stated, he was given an odd day or so here and there. When he called at the Placement Office the discerning official who interviewed him visualised an early and satisfactory job for this highly-qualified man, who had supplied the names of many firms, to which he had offered his services. The officer telephoned to the most prominent of these, briefly quoting some of the man’s credentials, and was asked to send him to the head office. A quarter of an hour’s questioning, and an examination of the official documents, convinced the managing director that the applicant was the answer to his prayer for a thoroughly qualified en-gineer-inspector, and the appointment was made on the spot, at a wage well above worry-level. Somewhat similar circumstances surrounded the failure of an ex-major of the British Army to obtain suitable employment. His papers showed that his army record had been excellent, and that prior to coming lo New Zealand lie had successfully held important posts in flourishing businesses. A friend induced him to come to the Dominion. but he had been unable to- secure suitable work, and when he called at the Placement Office he confessed that he was just existing on his earnings as a canvasser. There ..was: tragedy here, and enquiries on his behalf were made in various directions Eventually he was placed in a congen-. ial and financially-satisfactory position with a firm handling various makes of cars, and he appears to have found his real avocation.

There have been? I am informed, hundreds of similar instances, and it appears to me that this phase of the work of rehabilitation is distinctly worth while. . ' ..

THE NAVY HELPS A little story with a flavour of the Navy may interest you for a few moments. It concerns a Chief Artificer attached to one of the units of the New Zealand Navy. He.had married a New Zealand girl and taken her to England. where two children were born. Then he was detailed to the warship stationed in New Zealand, and had to leave his family behind.' This unsatisfactory position caused him to consider the possibility of leaving the Navy and obtaining employment ashore so that he could make a home for his family. His qualifications as an engineer were of the highest, so after he had discussed his problem with the local Placement Officer, a search of the cit\ engineering shops was made One of the most important firms gave him a half-a-day’s trial in the workshops, and so well did he acquit himself that he was offered a permanent position. The next step was to consult the. naval authorities who were unable to grant his discharge at once, as the Petty Officer’s services were required on the vessel, which was on the eve' of returning to England. When they were informed that permanent; work had been guaranteed, the authorities informed the Placement Officer that the man could return to New Zealand as a working unit of the vessel that was to replace the one going Home, and that his discharge could then be granted. This satisfactory arrangement was carried out. the transport of the man’s wife and children was effected, and a first-class craftsman has been added to tbe staff of a progressive New Zealand firm.