“Taranaki Central Press” TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1937. BETWEEN TWO FIRES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 452, 8 June 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1937. BETWEEN TWO FIRES

Two of the most urgent problems arising from recent Labour legislation, the employment of youths and the training of journeymen in trades where a shortage has developed, have been referred to an investigation committee by the acting-Min-Lter of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb.

The committee is faced with a difficult task., and one which calls for immediate consideration and prompt action. Filling the gaps in skilled employment will have the further effect of opening up new opportunities for youth as apprentices, and will thus serve a double purpose. More important even than this, though perhaps directly associated with its solution, is the imperative need for some practical step to place in employment the 5000 to 6000 youths and men, ranging in ages from 19 to 25, who have had the misfortune to be born at the wrong time.

They came upon the labour market in the depths of the depression, and the most-determined and tireless search for employment failed to find industrial openings for them. Then when trade conditions improved, another pit awaited them. In a year or two, in some cases at once, they had to receive a basic wage of £3 16s.

Lack of experience made it impossible for them to earn this amount, and employers were compelled to turn them away in favour of youths capable of Qualifying for the basic wage by the time they must receive it.. they arc being forced into unskilled and blind alley occupations.

Whether they can be brought back to more useful tasks by intensive training in the technical schools, by subsidies on their work, or by some other method, is for the committee to deterrpine. It has a task on hand which will affect the future of thousands of young people, and it is to be hoped that it will lose no time and spare no effort in endeavouring'to solve the very complex problems with which it is faced.