YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 164, 29 July 1937, Page 6

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Legislative Anomalies and Award Barriers 4 RETAILERS' COMMENT Legislative anomalies which, it was stated, made it difficult for youths to secure employment were di3 /urscd by the Hastings Retailers' Assoeiation at its annual meeting. The assoeiation rec imnu-nded three of its raembers for cppoin'ment to the Hastings com oaittee which is to be set up to consider avenues for youth employment. Mr. G. H. Roach reported that he haa received a communication with reference to the setting-up of a committee to inquire what should be done to increase the employment of young men and women. The acting-Minister of Labour was giving a lead to this inquirp, and names should be suggested for the representation of Hastings employers. Mr. Thompson asked if a sixthstandard education was equal now to what is used to be. In any case, 'he said, it was generally recognised that some years at a high school were imperative to prepare a boy or giri for the work of life. Yet, because of a wrong basis m trade awards, if bOys and girls were ailowed to stay at high school for the time they should, it became difficult and, in some eases almost impossible, for them to obtain employment. Youth, unemployment was also the subject of comment by the chairman, Mr. C. Griffiths, in the course of his annual report. * ''The heavy increase In the wages of juniors," he said, "irrespective of ability and experience, has brought grave injustice to the age groSp of workers of 18 years and over. The authorities * have so ,-far admitted that result that committees are to be formed throughout the Dominion to try to clear the obstacles at present operating against the employment of young men and women. "This aeknowledged hanilicap," he added, "eould largely • be. ended if awards adopted the principle of payment according to experience and not by age. A speeial report will be presented to the application for' a new shop-assistants ' award." Thp assoeiation recommended Messrs G. H. Roach, 6. Griffitlfs and H. W. C. ^ Baird for appointment to the Hastings committee.