H—ll

(2) The New Zealand Wool Board, with a view to ensuring a steady stream of new shearers, decided to continue during the 1949-50 season subsidizing learners attending classes arranged by technical schools. The major scheme whereby learners were placed in farmers' sheds during actual shearing operations was allowed to lapse. (3) Technical-school classes could be arranged by the Christchurch and Temuka schools only. Twenty learners were placed at these two classes by the Department and all qualified for the New Zealand Wool Board's subsidy of £3 per week during the course. In addition, the Department co-operated with Federated Farmers of New Zealand in the placing of learners at the latter's training class at Lumsden where 11 men were trained. (4) All the learners who attended the technical schools were placed in full-time employment as shearers at the conclusion of their course and were reported upon favourably by farmers. (d) Employment Promotion (1) During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1950, the number of seasonal workers unable to find employment immediately after the termination of their seasonal employment, was slightly higher than during past years. The Department was, however, able to find suitable employment for these workers, and at no time during the year was there any significant number of unemployed. (2) In only six districts did there arise employment problems requiring special action on the part of the Department. These districts were Gisborne, Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Blenheim, and Timaru. (3) Apart from the employment promotion activities of the Department for seasonal workers, an employment promotion scheme, known as Scheme 13, is operated continuously in several districts throughout the country. The men engaged on Scheme 13 are mostly fit for light work only and are located in districts where employment opportunities are limited. They are allocated to local bodies and their wages are subsidized by the Department to bring their earnings up to the award rate for the type of work performed. (4) At the 31st March, 1950, 184 men were employed under the scheme, 31 being single and 153 married. The corresponding numbers employed at 31st March, 1949, were 33 single and 170 married men. The Department makes every effort to place these men in suitable permanent employment, and encouragement is given to private employers to employ them. (e) Maori Employment (1) The restricted opportunities for employment of Maoris in some of the more remote areas in relation to the rapidly increasing Maori population has given the Department much concern. During the year planning to ensure the continued absorption of Maoris into full employment has continued. The Maori Education and Employment Committee, established in 1948, consisting of representatives of the Departments of Maori Affairs, Industries and Commerce, Education, Works, New Zealand Forest Service, and Labour and Employment keeps closely in touch with present and future employment needs of the Maori people. (2) The Committee has during the past year been concerned in particular with the placement of school-leavers in suitable employment. In certain areas openings for juveniles are restricted, and unless these young people can be brought to industrial centres they will lack the opportunities of establishing themselves in permanent work. The Committee therefore recommended the provision of hostels for Maori youths in selected areas, and Government has since agreed to set up such units, initially in Wellington, Auckland, and Rotorua. The Committee considers that selected young Maoris could, through the existence of such hostels, be placed in positions where they will have employment opportunities equal to those of European youths.

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