A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16873, 9 February 1929, Page 15

A SERIOUS PROBLEM

EMPLOYMENT OF YOUTH LAND SETTLEMENT NEEDED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Replying to a. representative deputation who urged that steps he taken to provide work for the thousands of workless young people in the Dominion, the Minister ol Education, the lion. D. Atinere, said: "Unless you have the people on the land there simply isn’t; work in the centres of production. The ■young New Zealand boy is shrewd enough to find himself a good job m town if there is one to be bad. Unfortunately it is not there to be got. ’

Mr. J.'S. Fletcher, M.P., suggested applying the Flock House scheme to New Zealand buys with certain modifications, and also mentioned an oiler by briekmakers of land which could he available fur a school fur 29 years, and had olferod a- subsidy of £7OO per annum for 37 'years. Tbe school would he capable of training 25 boys. Mr. F. A. Garrv said the Apprentices

Art might require an overhaul. There might have to he a change in the edtuu(:on policy, or Hie land policy, or a new land policy to rectify Lhe tendency of young' people to remain in the towns.

Air. Garry asked that an ollieial commit ten bo appointed to co-operate with an oiiicer, carefully chosen, who would co-ordinate the work of the. committee and department, preparing a register of unemployed hoys and girls, and keep in touch with all available spheres of employment. Mr. Atmorc said this was the greatest) problem that had ever faced any Government'. Everything turned on the development of the land. The education policy had given the children a bias in favor of oliice work. This would have to lie corrected. The permanency of cm ploymenl and opportunity for the youth of New Zealand would not be assured till every large holding had been subdivided. Small farms would work wonders. He promised that the Government would not delay ihc prosecution of its vigorous land settlement policy. Lamentaide as it might sound, the immediate position could only ho met hy palliatives. He favored the suggestion that had been made, and would bring the matter of a conference concerning apprenticeship under Hie notice of the Minister of Labor,