DRIFT TO CENTRES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21360, 1 June 1939, Page 8

DRIFT TO CENTRES

Lack of Opportunities for Youth Desire For Progress Reference to the drift of young people from the provincial districts to the main centres was made by Mr E. Darroch, retiring president of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, in his presidential address at the annual meeting of that body last night. “The provincial districts, such as South Canterbury, lose most of their young people because the opportunities are not here for careers which offer continuous employment with opportunities for advancement, and the drift of population to the main centres creates many problems which 'would be solved by the establishment of manufacturing industries in the provincial towns,” said Mr Darroch. Population Stationary The speaker added that the population of Timaru had been almost stationary for years, and probably the main reason for this was the fact that the young people left their home town because there were no opportunities for permanent employment and advancement. The spare rooms in all too many homes in Timaru should be occupied by the young people who, to gain employment in industry and commercial pursuits, had been compelled to go to the cities. Another most unhappy result of the lack of opportunities for advancement was the number of young people who, after a few years as juniors, lost their employment owing mainly to the fact that they had out-grown their jobs and then found themselves at a “loose end” drifting Into casual, seasonal, or general labouring work. Apathy of Majority “Many of you must have had the painful experience of declaring young people too old at 18 and 20 when they have sought consideration for vacancies in your businesses,” said Mr Darroch. “The time is opportune for this Chamber and all other interests to thoroughly and seriously explore the possibilities for the establishment of industries in Timaru in accordance with the policy which is destined to shape the future growth and development of industries in New Zealand. Towns, unlike Topsy, just don’t grow up; there must be a strong desire for progress, devoted leadership and determination to overcome the apathy and contentment of the majority.”