The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1932. A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1932. A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

In reference to the urgent need of finding a solution for the problem of unemployed boys and girls, Mr A. E. All- - M.P., said that unemployment that was rampant among the tJiousaiids of hoys and girls anxious to take up life’s work was a matter for much serious thought. Unemployment at such a critical period as toe ages between 12 and 18 was d sastrous, as at that time' boys should be undergoing a training for industry and citizenship. Every sympathy should be extended to boys in such a position, as tli=y' were being condemned to an idleness yhich would' leave a black mark on their spirits for a long time. One plan alone would not nijet the situation, and local bodies must be encouraged to deal with the problem in their .own d stricts—ft problem which assumed a different character in different places. By eo-oj'dinnting they could subotar.tially assist. The Government a]one could not effiCtively deal with the question and local effort was of para<mount importance. My Anse’.l was not- in a position to make any definite statement at present as his sugges-. tions must first he submitted to the Government. Physical training was equally important. If toys were physically fit there Avas much less incentive for them to go along the Avrong path. The assistance of athletic bodies should he sought and hoys should be encouraged to play games. A 7 oca t ion a 1 guidance was also valuable. The value of guidance was known in normal times and in .such a- time as the present it\ was equally useful. It was as desirable to get hoys into congenial positions as it Avas 'to get them positions at all. Another avenue' that had been explored Avas that of placing bovs on farms, and this plan Avas capable of considerable extension to the benefit of the country as well as to the hoys. Two guiding' principles should he borne in mind, however—a-

the careful selection of tire boys and the equally careful, selection of the farmers. Farmers should train boys to he farmers and not merely farm labourers. Mr Ans nil suggested a scheme which had already been folloAved in some places. Farmers’ Unions might form committees to. undertake the placing of hoys on suitable farms in their districts. There Avere today quite a number of farmers Avilling to take on a boy, but Avho could not afford to pay him. They refused to take the responsibility of enrol oying cheap labour and opening themselves to criticism for such action. He said that such men should realise their duties as citizens l in such a matter and defy comfentjon, and empharispd the spiritual and physicial decadence Avhich mint follow a period of idleness in’ an impressionable period in a boy’s I‘fe. and said that all should co-operate in doing thrir best to combat, the evil. The subject i's one of great interest, and needs the very best consideration of all classes, as the failure to make a proper start in life is sure to seriouslv affect tlie welfare of the young people in their future life.