GUIDING OF YOUTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24878, 27 April 1944, Page 7

GUIDING OF YOUTH

SCHOOL ANI) WOBK A POLICY OF COMPULSION Widespread disrespect of authority and the lowering of moral standards were commehted on by Mr. F. G. Baskett, president of the Chamber of Commerce, speaking at a luncheon of the senior and chambers yesterday. Wealth, power and trade alone meant little in the long run; the first essential was the building of character and high ideals. Character was the governing element of life and was above genius. Let them frankly admit that there were many things lacking in the country's educational system. Home training and the influence of the Church had a bearing on the subject that was of prime importance, but the teaching profession had within its ranks people of high educational standing, who, if given the chance, could do much to stop the rot that had attacked the people's moral fibre. After their schooldays, the greatest problem confronting most young people was the choice of occupation. Many found the utmost difficulty in coming to a decision, with the result that mosttook the first offer of employment that seemed attractive. In the beginning of their association, the employer's responsibility to his employee was greatest of all. To a large extent lie had the shaping of that boy's destiny. How many of them followed the lad's first 12 months with any degree of interest? What a wonderful difference a little encouragement meant to a lad at that age. One of the main trunk lines that led to success was confidence, both in oneself and one's employer. Some had an abundance of that attri-

Bute naturally: others required to hare it developed,' and in such cases the employer could play a leading role. Mr. Baskett asked employers to guard against hasty judgments, to discuss matters fully and frankly with apparently unsatisfactory workers, for in accepting their services the error was partly the employer's. Nothing could be more soul-deadening, no blow could be greater, than for a boy to leave his first job branded a failure. The speaker instanced a lad who, after being given three chances, finally, shook off Ins indifference, studied and gained his master of commerce degree before he was 25 and secured a very good appointment with another firm. The fewer they had on the scraphetip of mediocre workers, the better it was for their national prosperity and wellbeing. AWARDS PRESENTED In congratulating the recipients of awards to the most successful candidates in the examinations conducted by the Chamber of Commerce last year the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, at a luncheon yesterday said that to get a first-class secretary or book-keeper was not easy. It was surprising bow relatively few people had a complete command of the English language, and not many men could dictate correctly and with facility. It was a very fine thing that the chamber had instituted awards of medals and diplomas, and their possession had a good deal of influence with employers. The following New Zealand awards were presented:—Shirley E. Young, Junior Chamber of Commerce scholar; Nancy E. Buckrell, Auckland scholar; Patricia E. Howie, senior typing; Elaine Lewin, second in senior typing; Marjory E. Barnes, book-keeping; Fay Thomas. English.