MASS PRODUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 10

MASS PRODUCTION

“SIGNIFICANT APPLICATION.”

BOYS FOR INDUSTRY.

“Concerning employment for students in the college, an application. which is somewhat significant was received frojn a firm recently,” said the director of Wellington Technical College, Mr. R. G. Ridlipg, at the last meeting of the board of governors. “They asked for boys for employment hi mass production work, and suggested that a knowledge of the industry as a whole was not required, and might even be a disadvantage, but the boys should be patient and have considerable powers of application. “This is not the first occasion upon which it has been suggested that a knowledge of the complete processes required in an industry might be disadvantageous, but I must admit that when boys with a comprehensi. a knowledge have applied for work they have been given consideration by the employer, he continued. “This is such an unusual request in New Zealand that it is necessary to examine it in the light of scientific investigations of more industrialised countries into the proficiency of workers and the onset of fatigue as affected by the interest of the worker. . “It is agreed that in mass production work the processes become mechanical, and as such may be as efficiently performed by workers of varying, degrees of intelligence, and yet the initiators of mass production work have found. it desirable to establish in. connection with their work training schools where the efficiency of workers might be developed and the training given therein is definitely based upon the industrial processes themselves. Nor is this training limited to, a few processes but aims at developr ing general efficiency as well as the qualities of patience, application and powers of endurance. The organisation of any particular industry is a matter for industrialists, but any organisation .which leaves out the factor of interest in the worker must be more or less handicapped. . -I “This interest is associated with the high standard ’of performance and the production of the best possible work. Without it there is danger of deterioration in the product. It would be a mistake if specific training for industry .as given in. schools should not receive credit. There is, therefore, more need for educational authorities to give consideration to training for the development of the full man. Interests other than those associated with labour must be developed, and I foresee more comprehensive courses arranged for evening school work. Education for leisure. has been freely discussed by leading thinkers and some provision must be made in our evening school work for this.” Mr. Ridling reported a fall over the past year of 49 in the enrolment of boys. This was due to the placing of so many students in industry at the end of last year, he said. Consequently, there was a decrease in the older students’ enrolment. There was a definite increase in commercial students and in the home science students and a slight decrease in the number of building students enrolled. The total roll number was practically the same as for last year. In the . evening, school the trade section showed- a great decrease, and it would be necessary to consolidate some of the classes. Enrolment was still proceeding. Although many of the apprentices who enrolled last year had completed their courses there were still some whose enrolments had riot been received. There were, however, very few first-year apprentices in industrial-classes. The position had now arisen where no training was : being given to’ workers who- would supply the future ’requirements of - the skilled industries.