APPRENTICESHIP LAW

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 3

APPRENTICESHIP LAW

Responsibility Of Teaching Trade Tn evidence before the Apprenliec.ship Commission yesterday. Mr. M. G. Dunning, secretary of the Electric lower Boards and Sunnly Authorities Associalion, expressed opposition to the idea of apprenticing a boy to an industry instead of to an individual employer. "This.” he said, “destroys the fundamental principle of a master accepting the responsibility of teachini' his trade to the boy to the best of his ability.” He claimed that the district registrar of apprentices should have sullieient control over training methods, and should be in close touch with the master who was charged with this responsibility. His association could see no useful purpose in establishing a Dominion Apprenticeship Control Committee. , , Mr. Dunning said that, in general, the Apprenticeship Act and orders seemed to contain ample provision for the protection of both the employer and the apprentice. The association did not consider that wages should be increased, but suggested that a universal basic apprenticeship rate, with corresponding yearly increases, be adopted throughout New Zealand. “We do not think the present training period of five years too long in view of the varied activities a wireman may perform under the terms of his licence.” said witness, “but his training should be as general as possible. The employer and the technical school should be required to make half-yearly reports to the deputyregistrar of apprentices detailing (a) the interest shown by. and the general behaviour of the apprentice, including his attendance record, (b) his suitability or otherwise for the trade, and (c) the progress he is making. Attendance at a technical school or other approved institution or the taking of an approved correspondence course should be strictly enforced. -