WORKLESS BOY PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1932, Page 6

WORKLESS BOY PROBLEM

RETURN QF MR, S, G, SMITH " Z HOW MANY ARE UNEMPLOYED . POSSIBLY WELL UNDER 20,000, After a tour of investigation jn company with Mr. A- E. Ansell, member for Qhalmerg, Ml 8. G. Smith, M,R, returned to New Plymouth yesterday, Mr. Smith and Mr. Ansell were recently appointed to conduct an inquiry into the problem of boys out of employment, and in the course* of their travels have met leading citizens of the towns and cities visited, and discussed with them the problem W it affects them |n particular, ♦'lt is very hard to estimate just how many boys are out of employment at the present time,” said Mr. Smith to a News representative last night. ’The telegraphed estimate of 20,000 was admittedly a guess, as there is no. reliable source of information, and in view of available statistics it seems quite possible that the number is considerably less than 20,000.” Even making allowances for the-change in economic position since 1930, figures taken from The 1930 education department statistics were a guide to the pesition' at the present time. These figures shewed the following drift of youthful population: Of 11,120 children who left the prim’ ary schools that year 5959 wept on to peat-primary schools, 1035 back to their homes (presumably to do homo duties, or to be more op less independent), qhly 316 went to unknown destinations and ,no less than 3819 were placed in jobs. Of 694 children who left the junior high ephooiß 4QQ wept on to secondary schools, 36 to their homes, 2§ to destinations US’ known and 169 wpre placed in jobs,

Of 24Q7 young people leaving th? secondary schools 271 went on to training college or university, 194 to their homes (mostly girls), 2§6 to destinations unknown, and 1650 were placed in jobs. Of the 1670 young people who left technical, schools 27 went on to, training college or university, 82 to their homes, 343 to destinations unknown and 1218 were placed in jobs. Of the 846 young people who left the district high sehoola 27 went on to secondary schools, training college or university, 112 to their, homes, 31 to destinations unknown and 676 were placed in jobs Summarised, the position was that of the grand total of 16,737 young people who left the State educational institutions of the Dominion in 1930 6750 went pp to higher education, 1459 (mos’tly girls) to their homes, 999 to destinations unknown and no less than 7529 were plated in jobs. An interesting commentary OB the position was the number of young people vvho took up agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Of theTi,l2Q primary school diilffren who. left school in 1930 2427 wept on the land; of the 694 junior high school pupils 56; of the 2407 secondary school pupils 608; of the 1670 technical school pupils 374; of the 846 district high school pupils 335— a grand total of 3830 on the land. Throughout his travels, said Mr- Smith, he had been impressed by the increasing interest the public were taking in the problem of boys’ unemployment. There was a very serious awakening to a sense of responsibility in the matter, and the desire to help 1 was apparent. In all the towns and cities the interest was very keep, and where a few individuals had led the movement before, now there were generally eitiaen committees. gpenking generally, Mr- Smith, said there was a decidedly more optimistic tone prevailing, particularly, in the cities, and the general feeling wan ■ that the worst of the depression was over.