WORK FOR BOYS

Evening Post, Issue 89, 17 April 1933, Page 14

WORK FOR BOYS

LOCAL COMMITTEE'S EFFORTS

The Wellington Boy Employment Committee is striving .to relieve the serious ■situation obtaining in the • city with regard to the employment of boys and youths. ' '. ' In addition to the city activities, the committee keeps a register of lads suitable for and desirous of taking up farming, and boys are being interviewed daily with this object in viqw. The applicants are classified according to age and experience, ranging from lads who have just finished the ordinary school course and have had no previous experience of farming to those who have had up to two or three years' general experience and who could satisfactorily fill a position immediately on any class of farm. Since the inception of this branch of the committee's work last year no less than 340 placements have been made on farms, and tho majority of these represent boys who have proved satisfactory. In offering these lads •to farmers, the committee suggests that they should bo paid a weekly wage of not less than 5s in addition to keep, or a larger amount where circumstances and the experience of the lad permit. The majority of the lads available come from comfortable homes, and the committee insists that reasonably good living conditions should be provided, and that wherever possible the lads should not lose that home environment and friendly counsel which are so essential to their welfare. The committee greatly appreciates the provision of, accommodation ia the farmer's own home ivherever this ia possible.

Under the prevailing conditions, many lads are unable to find travelling expenses. ,It greatly facilitates matters if the farmer pays the fare in advance, protecting himself, where necessary, by retaining from the wages for a reasonable period an,amount sufficient to cover this outlay. Where the faro is found by the boy, it usual to ask that it be refunded after, say, a month or so of satisfactory service. Any railway _ stationmaster will accept the. amount of the fare and notify the committee of its lodgment. The committee suggests that it would be a wise policy for farmers to maintain lads in positions during the present period and -have them trained in local requirements for tho comiwr season.

The committee earnestly seeks the cooperation of farmers in its endeavour to place lads on the land, and will give full consideration to applications. If the application contains the following, information it will bo helpful to tho committee in-making' a selection:—Approximate age of lad, whether previous experience necessary or whether inexperienced 'lad would be "suitable, whether milking experience (hand or machine) is essential, nature of work, waj?es, living accommodation, arvaneements regarding fare, travelling directions, and.whether position is permanent or temporary. AH inquiries addressed to Mr. lien J. Greenborg, secretary Wellington Boy Employment, c/o V.M.C.A.. Wellington, will receive prompt attention.