VOCATIONS FOR YOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 7

VOCATIONS FOR YOUTH.

SCARCITY OF r EMPLOYMENT.

POSITION BECOMING ACUTE.

EARL.Y SOLUTION NEEDED. The difficulty of providing work for boys and x;irls leaving school and the causes leading to the present unsatisfactory position of unemployment among youth formed the basis of an address by Mr. F. A. Garry, headmaster of.-the Mount Roskill school, at the Rotary Club's weekly luncheon yesterday. Tho address was given at the request of tho Auckland Educational Socictv.

The problem of what should bo done with tho children leaving school arose again now 'that the schools were finishing their year, said Mr. Garry. No question was so fraught with anxiety to parents, many of whom would he extremely grateful for help and guidance. The difficulty of reaching a solution was intensified by the necessity for finding employment nowadays for girls as well as boys.

Because of the utmost importance of (lie problem to the State, as well as to the individual, there was need for tho rousing of a national consciousness of the seriousness of tho present position. Hundreds of youths last year wore unable to obtain work and many of these were persuaded to return to school for another year. The absorption of this year's product of the schools had been aggravated and threatened to become extremely acute. Two Aspects of Problem. Thero wero two aspects of the matter, tho need of those seeking employment being directed into channels for which they wero most fitted, and the absolute necessity for providing some kind of employment. for all whose schooldays were completed. Hie methods of deciding on a boy's future work had been in the past too haphazard, but the need of co-opera-tion between parent, teacher and employer was now being recognised, and the Education Department was attempting to organise committees for vocational guidance among the young. "But it is the moro pressing question of obtaining work at all that is agitating tho minds of so many," continued Mr. Garry. "No figures are availablo just at present, but evidence clearly indicates that hundreds of young people will bo unprovided for during the next few months. What is going to bo done about the matter ? Usually these affairs are lolt to right themselves, and in the process much damage is done. When we realise that the damage is among young human lives we are arrested by the seriousness of the position."

Reviewing the causes producing the present position the speaker said the main cause was undoubtedly an economic one. Tho number of adult unemployed naturally reacted on juvenile employment, es-" pecially. among the class or unskilled workers. Another restraint was the limitation of the number of apprentices in different trades. The competition between the sexes had been a potent factor in tho absorption of all the labour offering from year to year. The competition had come to stay, and the position must be determined by the survival of the fittest. "Training Far Too Narrow." "In the past our system has been dominated by examinations along bookish lines," continued Mr, Garry. "Our training has been far too narrow and uniform in character, with the result tliat both pupils and parents have been misguided as to the aptitudes and abilities of those who p?.ss through the schools. What wo need is a system by which the natural aptitudes of the child will receive full scope, and an education that will recognise the need of development of motor activities and emotional tendencies." Two kinds of employment appeared to be unpopular, farm work among boys and domestic service among girls. An attractive land policy was necessary, and a boy should see some definite prospect of being able tc> secure land for himself when he was qualified to work it. A proper outlook on life by the girls and a more sympathetic attitude by employers were necessary to make domestic work attractive. "In the meantime there is the immediate problem of assisting the hundreds who are about to leaver school," said Mr. Garry. "What wo hope for is the settingup of a committee which will accept tlw self-imposed task of arousing public opinion to the seriousness of the position, of getting in touch with employers both in tho city and the country, and of keeping in touch with those young people desirous of obtaining work, to endeavour ui consultation with parents to have th«sSft placed in suitable occupations. No> finer work is awaiting those who seek w s«'W the community." At the close of the address a uuruVr o: members and visitors, including Mr. C. Clinkard, -M.P. far Xtotortuu spesk® ort th*? (|UfstlWi iuul his On tiie ~xuc*licvu oi C. JbV Beimel t, seconded by Mr, K (\ Cutter S.M.. the board of tHivectcxs was asfed w consider the advisability of set tuts; uu * commutes to confer with estovers.