FUTURE OF YOUTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21794, 8 May 1934, Page 11

FUTURE OF YOUTH

PLANNING AHEAD TJKGED SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT VALUE OF RURAL PURSUITS The importance of planning ahead and the value of rural pursuits as a means of mitigating the unemployment problem confronting boys who had ju*t left school, were emphasised by Sir Joseph Smith, president of the Boys' Employment Committee and chairman of the Rotary Club's boys' work committee, at yesterday's luncheon of the Rotary Club. The planning, he suggested, would involve a survey of youths between the ages of 14 and 20 years, with the object of finding out what they were doing, and what was their outlook.

Sir Joseph referred to the difficulties experienced in the last two years, in the early stages of which business was dead and little help for boys was forthcoming. It was then that the committee had decided to concentrate upon rural pursuits. Every day there was increased evidence in support of the value of such employment to the community. In Auckland, however, appreciation of this fundamental fact was lacking. St. John's farm had played a very important part in the work of the committee, and it had been found that an early dislike for farming displayed in some cases had later been removed. It was the parents, in many instances, who were the most difficult to convert. St. John's, nevertheless, had its limitations, as it was not residential, and often good work done there was undermined to some extent when the boys were away.

Speaking of unemployment generally, Sir Joseph said many held the view that even if conditions returned to normal, there would still be some measure of unemployment. A certain able and well-known business man had said that as the young people considerably outnumbered .the old people, .unless there was evidence that adult unemployment was definitely on the wane, people must prepare for increased boy unemployment. A long-distance plan was essential. As to criticism, the speaker said ho welcomed it, particularly if it was helpful. Sir Joseph spoke of extensions that were being made in the farming activities of Flock House, but all Mere too far away from Auckland. It was true that St. John's had not been rushed for a time, but whether it had been due to a lack of boys, or to prejudice, there was some doubt. Close co-opera-tion with the schools was needed with a view to finding out the number of boys leaving this year, or in the next five years, and then they would find whether it was prejudice or a scarcity of boys. . In England, Sir Joseph said, juvenile unemployment was going to increase, as there had been an increase in the birth rate in the years following the war. The children born during that time were now upon the point of having to look for employment. "When they had the necessary information they would know what to plan for and how to plan. In this manner people could see that they could render a great service to this citizens' movement.