"Alpha" on Apprentices.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3539, 29 April 1880, Page 2

"Alpha" on Apprentices.

(Co)itribut6d.)

The.neatness of almost any piece of workmanship, even in these days—when machinery has taken the place of manual labour to a large extent—depends on the skill of the workman. As a matter of course, therefore, it is patent that great care should be taken in training apprentices to execute the work of whatever trade they arc engaged in in a neat and workmanlike manner. If this be not done work will not be^ turned out hereafter even as well as it is done now, and we shall have the dubious pleasure of reflecting on our own negligence. A lad on entering his apprenticeship should think well, and should be aided by his parents in considering whether he is acting with judgment, and has any real liking for the trade he chooses. In many cases the taste of the lad is not taken into consideration, and he is " shoved " into a trade by means, of influence, which he has neither the ability or taste to become proficient in. When a lad has chosen a certain trade he should exert all his energies in becoming an adent in it, not only for the benefit of his employer but for the great advantage he is gaining—an advantage' which in after life will put bim on a good footing, and enable him to earn both good wages, and the reputation of being a skilled artisan, and consequently of use to the Colony. For every man who is a good workman is acceptable, in any place on the face of the,globe. The way apprentices are instructed in a good many trades, is very mistaken, and is not calculated to make them good workmen, when their bondage is at an end. The boys* are put into an office, and allowed, as a rule, to do as they like. If they have a real wish to make themselves efficient, they have themselves to look tp, as their employer's foreman will be disinclined t> bestow much attention on them. In consequence, they learn to do their work in a slovenly style, and so far from improving on-the work done before their time,, they turn it out in a still more disreputable way, and in such a manner as to throw discredit on the shop from which the work is turned out. Masters, foremen, and others having the duty of teaching the forthcoming workmen should do everything possible, as far as lies in their- power, to teach their young helpmates the proper way to turn out a job iv a creditable manner. In doing so they do benefit to their apprentices, who will entertain greater respect for them; they will do good to the colony, because they will be the means of turning out good and useful citizens; and they will do good to themselves, through the knowledge tfcat they will have assisted their fellow creatures, iv a way which is a credit to themselves. Of course, a great deal depends on the' youngster, and the greater the pains he takes in learning his trade, the greatar emolument will he derive from it. In these days a man must be a skilled workman in order to" make his mark " at all lastingly. Lads .-should remember that they are not placed to learn a trade for fuu, but that the way they conduct themselves in business will result either in a prosperous or penurious future. When they are apprenticed to a trade, they do not go merely to pass the time, but to enable them to support themselves, and not be dependant on their relations. Let every young apprentice look at the matter from a patriotic point of view, and consider that he is not Only benefitting himself in paying attention to his work, , but he is fitting himself to take' an < honorable position as a citizen, and by his industry is adding to bis country's greatness. In New Zealand this is much more to be noticed than in the old country, as here every one—even in the meanest position of society—is aiding in building up the grand national fabric. Everyone adds in some way indirectly or directly to the well being of the colony. If they do not it is a regrettable fact, because the object of everyone should be the advancement of the colony and the increasing of the benefits of its inhabitants. In helping others we help ourselves, and the grand object of everyone, apprentices and ell should be the welfare, of out hearths aid homes. 1 ' All'HA..