CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 14

CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.

FEW POSITIONS OFFERING. APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS. Tlie difficulty anticipated in placing children leaving school this month in permanent positions is tho subject of a further statement by the committee investigating the problem. Tho statement is signed by Miss E. M. Johnston, principal of the Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Mr. H. P. R, Caughey, acting-vice-president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. E. P. Neale, secretary, and Dr. H. Belshaw, professor of economics at Auckland University legeReferring to the problem as one of "grave social importance arising out of the recent trade depression," the commit- • tee continues: — "While precise statistics arc not available, indisputable evidence has been forthcoming that the number of juvenile applicants for positions in the professions, industries and commerce is likely at the end of the current year to exceed very much the demand for their services. Unless definite action is taken by both emplovers and parents, it Appears likely that the depression through which we have been passing will increase the number of these applicants, owing to the diminished resources of parents and at the same time will reduce the number of positions offering owing to diminution of industrial and commercial prosperity. "This committee is concerned at the serious economic and social ills which may occur as the result of an increase in the volume of juvenile unemployment, and of the greater likelihood that boys and girls will be forced to accept whatever positions may bo offering without sufficient consideration being g' vei L to their suitability and prospects. There is no room for doubt that the first ot these conditions' especially, >s likely to be demoralising in its effects and every effort should be directed to its alleviation. "While not presuming to dictate the policy of any particular employer, whether public or private, we suggest as a general principle that employers should endeavour to maintain a full quota of juvenile employees. We would reiterate the dangers, both present ,and future, which • are likely to arise if any large body of boys and girls is unable to find suitable occupations. The committee feels that employers themselves can do much to relieve the present situation and would invito their co-operation. We would also point to the improved prices for our products abroad, which may reasonably be taken to herald increased prosperity in the near future, so that any excess of the number of employees on tho payrolls of commercial or industrial estab- w lishments that our recommendation entails is likely to be of. short duration. The conference which we represent has already urged on parents who can afford it the' desirability of keeping their boys and girls at school for a further year, both in order to relieve the present position and to improve the chances of such boys and girls obtaining desirable positions. We are aware that this is only an imperfect palliativo; but any measure calculated to relieve tho competition for posts and reduce juvenile unemployment even to a small degree is worth while. The committee is hopeful that its appeal will bring a public realisation of the gravity of the present position and that those whose task it is to make decisions will act with a full appreciation of the economic and social responsi bilities entailed."