BOY UNEMPOLYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1932, Page 14

BOY UNEMPOLYMENT

WORK MUST BE FOUND

CAMPAIGN OPENED TO-DAY

APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC

Following a well-attended meeting last evening of business men, schoolmasters, and others keenly interested in the distressing problem of boy unemployment, the "Back to Prosperity" drive was commenced this morning in the first of the round of calls by voluntary helpers upon businpss people arid shopkeepers in the city, asking that they should endeavour to find places for one or more of the 060 Wellington boys who have registered as unemployed.

Between thirty and forty business men have signified their willingness to take part in the canvass, but as it is planned to visit every business house anil office, the committee will be pleased to hear of others willing to assist in this way. That, however, is only part of the campaign, being the direct approach, and it is believed that just as important results will be achieved indirectly, that is, by impressing upon the public generally that; everyone has a part in giving a practical application to the two. campaign slogans, "Give Youth Its Chance'? and "Put the Son into Business.'? ■

It has been repeatedly urged—and obviously it is correct—that business of every kind depends upon the willingness of. the buyer, and, as a natural consequence, that boy, youth, and adult employment depends upon brighter business. An important part of the campaign, therefore, is directed at encouraging the public to circufate their money. There are several plans to achieve this aim, and as the month goes along these will bo s applied in turn. . The town, has been well supplied with slogan posters, and there is still a big stock for those who have not received as many as they can use. So far the posters have not been as well displayed as they might be, but the committee ami interviewers are making a special point of this. Decorated and-illuminat-ed tramcars are to carry the slogans through the city and suburbs this afternoon and evening, and the committee is profiting from the special lighting display which is being made in the shopping streets in connection with the Mayor 'a Happiness' Week campaign. \ Next week will sec some major attractions, and it. is hoped that by then the special1 shop window display programme will be well under way. Again in this section the aim will be to emphasise that the most ready way to get the boys into employment is to make it possible for employers, whether they are in a big way or in one-entrance lockup shops, to give them work. v OVER SIX HUNDRED WITHOUT WORK. When the idea was started, said Mr. B. P. Staples, the organiser, to-day, the aim was to find workfor 500 boys and youths, but the number actually without work at present is 660, and the aim has been lifted accordingly. That the task is not at all impossible was shown by the result of a similar effort made in Christchurch recently, when 507 boys were placed in positions of one sort or another. He believed that that record could be beaten in Wellington before the campaign ended. ■ _ Employers, as had been clearly shown in Christchurch, were anxious to assist to their utmost in combating what was undoubtedly a very serious position said Mr. Staples, and the committee confidently anticipated that they would if at all possible, take on extra boys One.suggestion that offered likely results he added, was that in large city buildings several offices might club together to employ one or more boys in message or similar work. - . (The campaign is being directed from ,?.?„. Back t0 Prosperity" office at 110 < Willis street. Here there is displayed an employment barometer to record the number of boys for whom work can be found during the campaign. Probably ior a few days the pointetwiir travel slowly,- for the interviewing of many hundreds of business und shop neople is slow work, but, after a weekV so the rise should, unless the committee's anticipations are very much astray, be steady and gratifying. ■'