PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18057, 18 January 1927, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. Future Tradesmen. The statements of the Minister of Labour and the Secretary of The Department indicate that the apprenticeship position is far from satisfactory. Boys are anxious to learn trades They and their parents have heeded the advice so freely given lately, and taken note of the warnings against drifting into blind-alley occupations. Yet the boys cannot secure admission to the trades. There is certainly power to order the employers to take apprentices; but in an industry with a great number of employers this power cannot be. easily exercised. If. however, the. employers will not voluntarily undertake the duty. what, is to be done? It may be necessary to consider a complete scheme of outside training, financed by a special levy. Schools are now established for the professions, replacing the older methods of articles ! and apprenticeship. This has not been | done hitherto in the trades because of ' the objection that a man cannot be j taught properly except on the job. But I this objection cannot stand for ever in 1 face of what has been accomplished in ! professional training. If the men now | in the trades will not do the teaching, i other means of instruction must be I found.—“ Evading Post,” Wellington.