The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1920. BOY IMMIGRANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1920. BOY IMMIGRANTS.

The discussion which took place in the House on Wednesday in connection with the Masters'and Apprentices Bill afforded further proof of the hostility on the part of the Labor extremists towards all efforts to increase production and to advance the prosperity of the Dominion. Nothing could he more absurd than raising the bogey of child slavery, considering that it is not intended to engage youths of a less age than sixteen years, and the desire to engage them up to the age of somewhat over eighteen years, but under nineteen. Mr. Masters accurately diagnosed the true malady ' of these extremists when he said: "I am surprised Labor-members are not in the least concerned about children or dairy farmers. What they are concerned about is that no scheme of immigration shall come into operation so that anybody shall come into competition with the labor in this country." Without doubt that is the correct view as to Labor opposition to the Bill. If any more convincing argument is required it is to be found in the contemptible threat of Mr. McCombs to invoke the aid of the British unions to prevent youths emigrating to New Zealand as apprentices. There are but two main points in relation to this apprentice immigration scheme, one concerning the interests of the immigrants, and the other being the industrial welfare of the Dominion. It may safely be advanced, as a preliminary, that the return of the world to its normal pre-war state, though on a higher and more satisfactory plane, can only be accomplished by work, and that the better and more expeditiously that work is performed, the sooner will settled conditions be reached, and the greater will be the benefits accruing to-the various communities. Tiie modernised apprenticeship system fits into this scheme of reconstruction in a way that cannot be achieved by any other means. The nation which can turn out the best goods .at the most expeditions rate will certainly come into the front rank, its people will rise to independence, and the soeial conditions will continually improve. The Dominion offers exceptional facilities for young, vigorous men who are willing to learn how to work to the best advantage of themselves and their employers, and to enjoy privileges and opportunities which the Homeland cannot offer. The :dg.vri.9Ptaetit of the vast. res,tnu;ces

of the Dominion is being seriously retarded for the want of the necessary labor, as well as by the dog-in-the-manger tactics of extreme Labor. There is a vital principle involved iu this scheme for attracting to this country apprentice immigrants; it is evidence of the application of organisation to industry. All the foolish frothing about cheap labor and indentured labor and child slavery only serves to emphasise the soundness of the proposals. It may fairly be assumed there will be the necessary provisions made for ensuring that all apprentice immigrants will be justly and fairly treated, and that the Government will act in the capacity of guardian to these young men during their apprenticeship. The proposal that after the first year these youths shall receive full wages, according to age and capacity, ruling in the district in which they are employed, completely disposes of the outcry against cheap labor. Apparently the Government fully realises its responsibilities with regard to these apprentices, and the Bill contains very proper safeguards, not only for the control of the immigrants, but also for their advancement. In dealing with human beings, especially those who have their experience to gain, a certain allowance must, be made for failures, though the percentage in this scheme should be very small. To accomplish two such important objects as to open up prosperous careers to young men from Britain, and to help forward the industries of the Dominion, would be most satisfactory to all concerned, and mark a great advance in the process of reconstruction. The Government may be congratulated on this commendable effort to meet an urgent need, and at the same time to bring closer the ties of Empire.