UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21773, 12 October 1932, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

SUGGESTED REMEDIES EXTENSION OF FARM TRAINING. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, October 11. The report on the juvenile unemployment problem, which is being prepared for the Prime Minister by Mr S. G. Smith and Mr A. E. Anscll, is expected to he finished within the next few days. It has been held up on account of the late delivery of important written evidence on problems of apprenticeship, but as soon as this comes to hand the results of the investigation will he laid before the Government. It is understood that the report will deal with two major aspects of the boy unemployment problem. ’ On the one hand, it will go into the question of apprenticeships, and on the other it will deal with the possibility of extending employment by means of finding work in the country. The likelihood of amending legislation being brought down this session to relax some of the restrictions which are stated to be preventing the free employment of youths in trades has already been mentioned, and it is possible that the report will suggest the steps that might be taken in this direction. It is held by some employers that even the relaxing of certain provisions governing the employment of apprentices under the legislation of last session is not sufficient, and they maintain that no effective steps can be taken to increase employment among boys until the present system of contract engagements is further overhauled. This question also will probably be dealt with in the report. The need for providing greater facilities for employment on farms is believed to be fully recognised by Mr Smith and Mr Ansell, and it is understood that they will have some important proposals to make. Although no official statement has been made, they are believed to be in favour of making greater use of the existing agricultural training institutions for youths. It is understood that the Government will be recommended to provide courses in farm training for large numbers of youths during several months of the year. The accommodation at such training centres as Ruakura Farm, Lincoln College, and other places is not sufficient at present to enable large sized groups to be brought in from the surrounding districts for instruction, but it is believed that suggestions might be made for the provision of temporary accommodation. The effect of these part-time courses would be that youths would receive practical instruction enabling them to give better service on farms where they might ultimately secure permanent work. They would also make it unnecessary for young people to he employed at heavy farm work during the winter months.