APPRENTICE PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 11

APPRENTICE PLAN

WORKERS' ATTITUDE REPRESENTATIVES CRITICAL WITHDRAWAL FROM COMMITTEE [BV TKLRGIt.VPH —OWN CHRISTCHU KCH, Monday The workers' representatives on the Christchurch committee organised by the Government to find work for young men have decided to recommend their withdrawal to the council of the Federation of Labour. Mr. G. T. Thurston. Mr. E. C. Sutclifl'e and Mr. A. H. Scald were appointed to serve on the committee, which had as its chief aim the placing in work under tho adult apprenticeship scheme of young men between the ages of 18 and 25, who. during the depression, lost their opportunity of being absorbed into trades by the usual apprenticeship channels. The workers' representatives are not willing to make a full statement of their attitude until they have made their report to the Federation of Labour, which is to hold its next meeting on September 30. Mr. Thurston, however, said the committee was too restricted in its powers and for tliat reason had never had the confidence of tho workers. It had done nothing of assistance to tho Government, and could do nothing as at present constituted. "It is a complete and utter wash-out," ho said. Mr. Sutcliffe said he disapproved of the principle of the scheme which the committee was supposed to bo carrying out. In South Africa, he said, journeymen in the carpentering trade, for example. were paid a fairly high wage, but they had two or three Kaffir boys under them to do the rough work. The carpenter was more of an overseer. In his opinion, the Government's scheme was likely to result in tho creation of white Kaffirs in New Zealand. It would dilute the trado by the introduction of cheap labour. Mr. F. B. Creswell, who is one of the employers' representatives on tho committee, said tho committee would continue its work, even if the workers' representatives withdrew. The committee was in touch with the employers, and was doing all it could to find employment for the young men who were its special charge.

AUCKLAND COMMITTEE CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER "Wo have not discussed the scheme to any extent yet, and have made no agreement as to our attitude," said Air. J. G. Kennerley, secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners and a member of the Youth Campaign Advisory Committee set up a few weeks ago, when asked what was the attitude of Labour members on the committee toward the Government's scheme.

The committee at a meeting last week was supplied with details of the scheme. It was not then discussed, but was deferred for consideration. Mr. Kennerley pointed out that the scheme would be discussed to-day with the Hon. P. C. Webb, who, as actingMinister of Labour during the absence from the Dominion of the Hon. H. T Armstrong, prepared the plan. "None of us likes the idea of trainees," added Mr. Kennerley, "but at the same time something will have to be done to bring men back into the trade. We will know more about our attitude when we have seen Mr. Webb."

Members of the committee comprise Messrs. Kennerley and A. H. Dixon, United Furniture Trades Union; K. Simpson, Electricnl Workers' Union; .1. S. Dawes, J. A. C. Allum and J. M. Hardcastle, Auckland Employers' Association