SOLDIER CRAFTSMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17113, 19 March 1919, Page 8

SOLDIER CRAFTSMEN.

THE PROBLEM OF TRAINING.

GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED.

SUGGESTIONS BY LABOUR.

Problems connected with repatriation, ] more especially those relating to the train- i ing of partiaily disabled men for industries, and fitting returned men for trades other than those in which they were engaged prior to their going into the forces, have recently been under the consideration of the National Executive of the Federation of Labour. A memorandum has now been drawn up embodying a number of recommendations, which it ifi proposed shall be submitted to the various repatriation boards, returned soldiers' associations, trade unions, and members of Cabinet. Subsidy Scheme Condemned. After expressing the opinion that the aim of industrial training should be to fit men permanently for work in basic industries where their future is assured, the memorandum states that men should not be advised, or even allowed, to take a course of training in an industry which, does not afford prospects of their being able to maintain themselves in that industry when training is finished. The , Government subsidy scheme under which : soldiers aro taken into private employment at reduced wagrs to Icani trades, the Government making up the to £3 a week, is not regard d as beneficial to j the soldier. The men did not, in most| cases, receive that training which would. enable them to maintain themselves in the industry when the Government suW-dy was withdrawn. In order to make} tho ; training satisfactory from the point of view of the soldier and the State, it. should be carried out apart from private employers. Under the latter there was a tendency for the soldier to learn just one process in a given industry, to work ore machine, and thus become a mere " cog" in the wheels of industry, and at the same time for the soldier and the subsidy to be exploited by the employer during the period of so-called training, while at the end of that period the soldier was still an incompetent workman, unable to maintain himself in the industry. Industrial and Vocational Training.

The following recommendations were made :— (1) That all industrial and vocational training of returned or partially-disabled soldiere, should be carried out in technical schools; (2) that where such schools do not exist, or where the accommodation in schools is not sufficient to meet the demands of returned soldiers, in addition to other scholars, such schools and accommodation be provided by the State without further delay; (3) that where practical I work is needed in instruction, the same should bo given on public works or in workshops attached to public works; [<*) that experts should be engaged to give instruction, and supervise the work of stu- ! dents, and that the general control of 1 these schools should be vested in a Board !oi Management consisting of delegates from the trade unions in the industries concerned, the Returned Soldiers' Associa- : tion, and the Repatriation Board; (5) that j a committee thus constituted should penj odically examine each raan'B work, and ; advise "him as to his progress in training, I and if necessary, tell him he is unfitted for the particular industry he has selected and recommend him to another. Advances of Capital. It is also recommended that all returned soldiers, disabled or fit, should have the, right to apply for courses of training, I their applications to be considered by a | repatriation board, which should be fully ,' conversant with the conditions and pros- , pects of each industry. If the application is approved, the applicant to receive the training necessary, for any period un to three | years, and all necessary books and requisites free', his soldier's pay and allowances .; to be continued until the board of manage' . ! ment agree that he is competent to earn . j at least the minimum wage in the industry ) in which he was receiving twining; and, . j further, the same branches of trades to be < >: taurht to soldior student* as the award i ' in the industry provides shall be taught to j , apprentices. It is further recommended that where J there are a number or returned soldiers already competent in any industry, the l State should encourage these men to start in co-operative enterprises, bv advancing the capital necessary up to £300 for each man in industries approved by the re-' patriation boards, such co-operative entert prises to be under a board of management, r j 50 per cent, elected by the soldiers in the J enterprise, 25 per cent, by the trade unions '. I in the industry concerned, and 25 per cent. 5 by the repatriation board for the district.