NO PLACES FOR BOYS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18897, 12 January 1927, Page 8

NO PLACES FOR BOYS.

APPRENTICESHIP DIFFI

CULTY

DISSATISFACTION IN PUXEDIN

(THE TKESS Sp:ci3, R,-rvicO DUNEDIN, January 11. A serious aspect of the unemployment, situation in the City ar, present is the lack of oppor'uiiir.r* offering in respect of appreiiTitrships \,y: hoy*. Daily, regiments ot 1-nU p;:;:uic th' 1 City, calling ai lactones .anj ;raJe shops seeking positions &* aiiprcaiiecs. but the jobs are not there, boy, haw obtained apprenticeship;- through the good efforts of friends m The trades, but the Act has reduced the proportion of apprentices to journeymen and employers are unable to give the boys a start in the skilled trades. Prior to the closing of tho primary schools, lists were circulated amoag headmasters by the local office ot the Labour Department for filling in by boys desirous of being apprenticed to the skilled trades. The forms were r*> turned, but so far not one employer has made application to the office for an apprentice. Last year, the employers were circulated by the Department, but the i espouse was poor, and the campaign has not. been followed out this year. Mr G. H. Lightfoot, ofli.\-:r in charge at Duuedin, stated to-day that <* methodical tour of all trades was made by an officer, who 'explain? tho provisions of the Act. Just at present.. 1"8 boys are seeking apprenticeships in about a dozen «f the popular frades, but no opportunities are offering. General dissatisfaction with the Act, which, it is stated, is presenting many boys from taking up a trade., is 'impressed in many influential quarters.