BOYS WITHOUT WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 10

BOYS WITHOUT WORK

FURTHER INQUIRY MADE EFFECT OF APPRENTICES ACT QUESTION OF RESTRICTIONS In an attempt to find out how far the provisions of the Apprentices Act are responsible for preventing employers from taking on extra youths, the two members of Parliament, Messrs. S. G. Smith and A- E. Ansel], who are making investigations on behalf of the Government into tho problem of unemployed boys, are conferring with apprenticeship committees in the various centres. In accordance with this plan they had a general discussion yesterday on what were described by the employers' representatives as tho restrictive provisions of the Act. In addition to the two members there were present Messrs. W. Slaughter, representing the Labour Department, Albert Spencer, president of tho Auckland Employers' Association, S. E. Wright, secretary of the Auckland Employers' Association, and the following members of apprentices committees: —Messrs. J. A. C. Allum, electrical trades; R. A. Cornish, building trade; M. J. Bennett, painting trade; C. S. Lees, ironmasters; T. Bloodworth, building unions; J. Clark, Plumbers' Union; C.'Watts, Bootmakers' Union; and H. Campbell, Painters' Union.

The discussion was taken in committee and after sitting for two hours the meeting adjourned until this morning. While in Auckland, Messrs. Smith and Ansell will also endeavour to obtain evidence as to the effect of the Shops and Offices' Act and the Factories Act on the placing of boys. It has been suggested to the members in other centres that if there were some modification in this legislation it would be possible for employers to take more boys in their businesses without displacing members of the existing staffs. To-day Messrs. Smith and Ansell will attend a meeting of the committee of the Farm and City Careers Bureau, at which the question of finding employment for youths will be further discussed. BUSINESS MEN VOTE £SO CONDITIONAL ON SUPPORT Reporting to the council of the Auck land Chamber of Commerce yesterday on a recent conference in the Town Hall on the problem of unemployed boys, Mr. A. G. Lunn moved that the chamber grant £SO, provided the existing organisation was strengthened, that a suitable , programme was evolved, and that adequate financial support—not less than £IOO0 — was available from other representative bodies. Mr. Lunn suggested that if the motion were carried the City be asked to allow its area at Harkin's Point, Hobsonville, to bo used as a training farm for boys and that it be a suggestion from the chamber that the Government be asked to subsidise any funds raised. Mr. Harvey Turner said many people were looking for a lead. He thought the chamber would bo well advised to support the motion, provided guarantees were given that the money was not frittered away. The president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, said the organisation for dealing with the problem had been strengthened. Mr. C. F. Bennett said they realised that all boys were not suited for farm work. Many positions in the commercial community for which bovs were suitable were now" held by girls. He was sure that if boys wfere given a fundamental training in shorthand and typewriting tliev would be given employment, in commercial offices. The motion was carried, Mr. Seaman stating that the other points raised would bo incorporated in the letter conveying the chamber's recommendation.

PROBLEM IN HAMILTON "combined committee formed [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Thursday As the result of a conference of organisations interested in the welfare of unemployed youth in Hamilton yesterday it has been decided to form a committee, to be called the Combined Committee for Youth Employment, with the object of co-ordin-ating the efforts being made locally to provide work for unemployed boys.