APPRENTICESHIP OF ADULTS

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 7

APPRENTICESHIP OF ADULTS

Inquiries From Men On Public Works MINISTER APPEALS FOR CO OPERATION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 26. An appeal for co-operation on the part of all concerned in an effort to divert unskilled labour into local industries of the Dominion was made by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) when questioned as to the progress that was being made with the evolution of the adult apprenticeship scheme. The Minister said the question had been considered separately by the Manufacturers’ Federation and the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and it was now being considered by the unions that would be most affected by the- adoption of some plan of adult apprenticeship for the absorption of unskilled labour into industry. The number of inquiries coming in from highly educated young men now on public works was most encouraging, and the Minister was confident that if a practical system was evolved by which these young men would have an opportunity of learning a trade they would soon have a class of labour that would give a good account -of itself wherever employed. “I am quite confident,” said Mr Webb, "that if our young New Zealanders can he given an oportunity it will not be long before they measure up with the best labour that could be imported. It enables us to divert a lot of labour from unproductive work to definitely productive work, to lessen the number on public works, and to increase the number employed in producing those goods that were previously produced overseas. I hope that both manufacturers and those engaged in the employment of labour in secondary industries will co-operate to the fullest extent with the Federation of Labour, and I hope that reciprocity will be forthcoming from Labour organizations.”