APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 6

APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEMS.

DIFFICULTIES IN AUSTRALIA. • AUCKLAND, February 29. Australia is labouring under apprentice, ship difficulties similar to those of New Zealand, according to Mr F. S. secretary and manager of the Westen/ Australian Employees’ Federation, who visiting Auckland on holiday. Mr Andrews explained that difficulty was being experienced in the Commonwealth in finding openings in certain trades for apprentices. the Arbitration Court limiting their numbers in proportion to the journeymen employed. It was hoped, howeveg, that some scheme might ultimately be formulated by which the term of apprenticeship might be regarded more as an educational matter than as an industrial and permanent matter It was also proposed that a board should be set up to inquire into tho needs of each and every industry and determine the proportion of apprentices and rates of pay and conditions under which they could be employed. Failing some such arrangement, a number of youths would have to accept employment in what was termed “ blind alley ” occupations or go on the land. The net effect of this would bo a shortage of artisans -and mechanics, the need for which was not at present being supplied from overseas.