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Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1931, Page 4

One of the difficulties of the present day is the task of finding employment for lads leaving school and setting out in the world. It is like most other problems nowadays, practically worldwide in its application. Actually, however, very little concerted attention is given to the subject. The popular view can well afford to pay some attention to the careers open to the rising generation, for it is from the ranks of those indicated that the future control of the country will rest with. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the subject is a very present one. A few years ago during and immediately following the war period, there was a rush by lads from school for the high wages offering in various industries short of man-power because of the exigencies of war time and the demand for eligible males at the front.' That period bad a very dislocating effect on the general outlook of life, and has been responsible for the ills we now have to bear in general communitv life. Yet the provision of work for lads is a serious problem nowadays, for the openings are few. Just at the moment many dismissals are taking place, also, making the outlook more difficult. The time appears to be apportune to broaden the law in respect to apprenticeship so that more lads can be learned handicrafts instead of being driven willy-nilly to seek work as office lads or drift into the ranks of nondescript labourers. The rising gen. oration should be given the opportunity to become industrialists. At schools a certain amount of technical instruction is given in the" way of handicrafts, and there is the opportunity to gunge the bent of the pupils. If the foundation work were followed up and recruits drafted into trade calling for handicrafts, the overcrowded clerical claimants or work would be reduced, and at the bench, the forge, the machine-shop, or the factory, better equinped individuals would be prepared for the stern battle of life. Here in New Zealand much of the progress of the country depends on production, and as the wealth of the Dominion increases the needs of the producer increase also, creating more demand for supplies. More of the lads should he drafted to places where they will he useful in the future in assisting to supply the needs of the country. The lad with a trade will be a permanent asset, and there should be the open ing for him in that direction instead of allowing linn to drift out into the world without a definite objective, and become one of the all to large army seeking casual work, or Ireoome another aspirant for clerical occupation, with an eye on the already over-staffed Civil Service. This is a subject hearing on the welfare and lives of vary

many or our future citizens, and to neglect giving the matter attention is to shirk an obvious duty and the storing up ol greater trouble in the future, if the opportunities indicated are not provided.