NEW PLACEMENT OFFICE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 34, 24 February 1937, Page 6

NEW PLACEMENT OFFICE

Hastings Building Officially Opened BENEFITS OF SYSTEM "A clearing bouse of all employment," was hoyr Mr J. Lewis, of Wellington, cliief placement officer for the Dominion, described tbe offices of the State Placement Service in Market street, Hastings, which were officially opened by the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, this morning. The building was gaily decorated outside with bunting for tbe occasion, and there was a large attendance. By means of a public-address system installed in the offiee, the speakers could be heard in the street below. Mr Lewis conferred on Mr Maddison the title of honorary placement officer for the district of Hawke's Bay. Mr Maddison congratulated the Government for brin^ng into operation a system which extended throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. There wer© now 22 branches. The need that existed for it was evidenced by the fact that 26,000 men had been placed in employment during the year, 12,000 of these being permanent positions. It was facing up t° an economic and industrial need in the life of the people. (New Zealand was leading the world, he believed, in the matter, and the benefits of the system havihg become known abroad, other nar tions were now seeking our advice. "Character is the axbiter of a man'a — and a nation' s — destiny," said Mr Maddison. Idleness — a wasted life — was one of the greatest tragedies possible. This scheme would help to place the unemployed in their right place in society. It was cften said that, in such a place as Hastinge, girls and boys had not the opportunity of placing themeselves in jobs which paralleled their n^tural inclinations. The placement system would operato in such cases to find them congenial employment elsewhere. The service was not a temporary, emergency one; it was permanent. In oonclusion, Mr Maddison emphasised that the scheme had to have the . fullest meaBur© of co-operation from employers. They could have confidence in the staff, the members of which had been selected because of their competence and ability. The Hastings offices were very fine and adequate and he congratulated those responsible for them. Mr Lewis explained the scope, aims and ideals of the system. The psychology of the system was to put the men at ease, and full facilities had been . provided for their needs. Every Wednesday a table showing details of all those out of work throughout the country was prepared in every branch. New Zealand was teaching the rest of the world how to handle the ,unempioyment problem. Hastings was a truly beautiful district, and he' hoped the citizens would not allow the blot of men in enforced idleness to spoil its beauty. Mr Field, the district' employment officer, spoke a few words and said all that was necessary for the success of the placement service was the spirit of co-operation. - ■