examinations have shown exceptionally high percentage increases each year and should continue to increase. The actual numbers are still small, however, and rather than wait for time to take its course Mr Rata sees the need for some definite impetus. ‘The continuing rise of dissatisfaction and feelings of frustration so evident among the young are the signs that we are heeding. If we want to arrest these feelings of futility and frustration that have persisted for too long, the opportunities for clear success in different avenues must be created. ‘For this reason the need is obviously to expand their opportunities so as to develop their full potential and to draw out the range of talent which has not been utilised fully.’ In 1972 there were 564 boys and girls involved in 29 courses run by the Department, a sizeable step from the one course for 10 boys when the scheme began in 1959. Now the target is 1,000 trade trainees at least each year, and to achieve this the goodwill and co-operation of all are needed. Mr Rata has made it plain on many occasions that he agrees wholeheartedly with the concept of equal opportunity, a point which is made strongly by trade unions. He has emphasised, however, the need for some special training to achieve equal opportunity. Thus a wider range of trades will be aimed for, including schemes for marine and fish-farming and for agricultural occupations. This will provide a choice for those who may prefer to remain in or go to rural areas. Opportunities in rural towns and such provincial centres as Rotorua will need to be created so that the current trend of sending youths away from their home environment is lessened. Adult retraining opportunities will also be looked into. Mr Rata sums up his views with a quotation from the 1962 Report on the Commission on Education which says: ‘In the Maori people lies the greatest reservoir of unused talent in the population. The benefit that could finally accrue in the field of race relations if the Maori could play the important part in all areas that his numbers warrant needs no emphasising.’ Some of 1974's first year carpentry trainees during their lunch break outside their Sylvia Park training centre in Auckland.