TRAINING OF ARTISANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21258, 11 August 1932, Page 5

TRAINING OF ARTISANS

APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM AUSTRALIAN JUDGE'S VIEWS The effect of an application before the Australian Federal Arbitration Court on the future training of artisans tv-as discussed by Judge Beeby in Sydney recently. The application by the Metal Trades Employers' Association, sought a variation of the employment of junior labour so as to permit the engagement of learners in the general engineering, sheet metal, and moulding sections. "I regard this," said the Judge, "as a matter of vital importance to tho whole industrial world. There is a new theory developing that compulsory apprenticeship is inappropriate to modern methods of production, and I always anticipated that some day the Court would have to hear argument on the point whether, in the changed circumstances of production, compulsory apprenticeship onder the oldfashioned form of permanent engagement for a period of five years, is to continue. That issue has been raised for the first time.

''There will bo no alteration of the principle on which this Court has acted without a very wide consideration of the matter as it applies to all industry. This is not by any means a matter that is going to be disposed of without full consideration of its effect on all industry. "No doubt if this application is granted, it will mean the beginning of the adoption of a new idea as to the future training of artisans. It will mean the insertion of a new method, and that will not be done -without very grave consideration and a survey of all industry. Later, T will determine what further information will be required and to what extent other industries which arc really concerned in this matter should have an opportunity to come here."