UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 14

UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

TECHNICAL TRAINING QUESTION OF ITS VALUE Apprehension thnt "half-pie" tradesmen might result if classes were given to unemployed youths, ns suggested by the Unemployment Board, was oxpressed by several speakers at the last meeting of the board of governors of tho Wellington Technical College. The director, Mr. R. G. I?idling, referring to tho intention df the Unemployment Board to establish training courses for unemployed youths, said that tho college could cater for theso boys if tho Unemployment Board was prepared to accept its offer, as it had the accommodation and tho teachers. As far as students under 21 were concerned, the fees for such classes would be about 10s for ono subject, and 13s 9d for two subjects. Mr. J. Road asked if it was intended to train boys from 19 to 25 to become "half-pie" tradesmen. If such was tho idea, it should be brought before tho board with full notice. Would such training enable tho boys to get further training in employment outside the college? If not, ho could see no uso in it.

The workers' sido of the question, as well as that of tho employers and the unemployed boys, should be considered. It was not that ho wished to, block any avenue of employment; there woro numbers of boys and girls who seemed to bo coming into a world whero there was no hope for them. Mr. J. J. Clark, on being informed that foes would be by arrangement with tho Unemployment Board, said that he could see nothing but good in it. "Half-pie" was better than no "pie" at all, ho considered. No action was taken on tho subject of tho discussion.