The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1929.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1929.

UNEAIPLOYAIENT PROBLEMS Among the most interesting sections of the British Ministry of Labour’s report for 1928, a summary of which appears in the Ministry of Labour Gazette, are those dealing with the training schemes and employment of juveniles. During 1928 it is recorded that about 2,000 men went overseas after a course at one of the Ministry’s farm centres, and reports from the Canadian Department of Colonization and Immigration indicate that 78 per cent, of these were making good on the land, and 22 per cent, liad either left the farms on which they were originally placed, or their success in farm life was doubtful. Of this minority, howeve", some are known to have established themselves successfully on other farms or are earning their living in industry or commerce. Towards the end of ,1928 arrangements were concluded with the Canadian Government for the placing of (1,000 trained and tested men on the land during 1929, and four new centres have been established and arrangements made for the training of men at the Army Vocational Centre at Chiseldon. During last year 2.973 men were placed in employment through the home training centres, and arrangements were in hand for largely increasing facilities so that it is hoped to have doubled the number by the end of this year. The re-

port stales that the training centres are a boon to men in the distressed areas, that the type of man voluntarily seeking training is excellent and suitable, and that after his period of training he has “an improved industrial value which is recognised by most employers.” The Central Committed on Women’s Training and Employment extended its work in 1928, and in the course of the year 3,00 S women and girls, compie-ed training. These results appear to he very, satisfactory, says a London Commerce Journal, and show that the schemes are doing work of real value as ’far a.s they go. The numbers are of course, very small compared with the present (June 10th.) figures of the wholly unemployed—6lß,400 men, 23,800 boys and 137,900 women and girls—though of these totals only a relatively small proportion would be suitable for such training. The extension of the facilities may presumably be taken as an indication that there is believed to be willingness among a larger number to make use of them, but it must always be remembered that the provision of centres able to cope with all who might be trained for oversea settlement or industrial work at bp me would not by any means solve the problem. It is first necessary to fill those centres with men and women willing to make such a change in their lives and to train themselv.es for the altered circumstances; and, secondly, to be assured of openings for them overseas when their course is completed. The number of recruits available is now adequate, according to the latest information obtainable, but there is some anxiety to the attitude of the Dominions towards increasing and continued immigration. Unemployment among insured juveniles, the report states ,was far lower than among adults (3.6 against 11.4), and the pio blem it presents is mainly limited to the distressed areas—there has in some parts of. the country been an actual shortage of juvenile labour. A memorandum published recently by the Ministry pointed out that many JuvUnile Employment 'Committees wejre apprehensive of the dangers involved in the transfer of boys .from the “black spots,” necessary though such migration appears to be, but the operation of the Ministry’s special arrangements for boys in distressed mining areas has met with distinct success and has “won the approbation and support of parents and Committees alike.” Since February, 1928, whtn the arrangements came into force, it was stated that nearly 3,000 boys had been individually selected and transferred to carefully chosen jobs outside the distressed areas. i