WORKLESS BOYS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1931, Page 2

WORKLESS BOYS

CASES OF REAL HARDSHIP.

Reference to the problem of finding work for boys was made at the .Welling l ton Rotary Club’s luncheon on Tuesday by the Chief Rotarian, Dr. F. Bowerbank, who also read the following letter from a special committee which had been set up; — “One of the phases of the present economic situation in the community is the enforced idleness of lads between school ago and 20 years. Impressed by the need for action of some kind, and influenced by the fact, also, that except in the case of farm labour, these lads do not come under the Government scheme, the Y.M.C.A. decided to take initial steps in the direction of ameliorating the distress. The registration of nearly 300 unemployed boys, within a few days not only discloses cases of real hardship, but affords ground for concern regarding, the possible psychological and moral effects on these lads of long periods of unemployment. “A special joint committee has been set up representing the Rotary, Boys’ Work and the Y.M.C.A., and this committee, while devising means of usefully occupying the time of these lads whilst waiting for employment, is natuially anxious to pursue the major task of opening up avenues of employment. The committee earnestly solicits, the- cooperation of your organisation in placing before members who are employers of°labour such representations as will induce them to consider placing one or more of these boys in their establishments for either full or part-time employment, and until at least the stress of the winter is over. “.The committee, through the Y.M.C.A., would be willing to submit suitable boys foi« the approval of your members, and would give employers every assurance that on application their requirements would be expeditiously attended to. Any suggestions your orwould care to make with legard to this problem would also be appreciated.”