THE UNEMPLOYED BOY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 23, 23 December 1932, Page 6

THE UNEMPLOYED BOY.

The report of Messrs A. E. Ansell and S. G. Smith, M.P.’s, who on behalf of the Government investigated the unemployed boy problem, must receive the sympathetic consideration of the Dominion. It rightly stresses the fact that it is the most acute human problem that this generation has been called upon to deal with. The adult who has been in work and unfortunately lost his employment in these years of economic crisis has within him still the urge to try again, and he looks forward to the day, hoping it is not very distant, when he will be absorbed into the avenue of employment for which he has equipped himself by knowledge and practice. Not so the youth who, leaving school in his adolescence, ready to carve out a career for himself, imbued with the loftiest of ideals, finds that he is thrown upon a labour market which cannot absorb him and the many hundreds who are in similar plight. Disappointment brings indifference, and ffltimately the moral fibre once so strong may be broken down with disastrous results. Messrs Smith and Ansell in their report stress the point that secondary industries offer slender chances, and they turn to the land as a means of absorbing boys, suggesting a scheme whereby Crown land would be developed by suitable young men who would ultimately. become valuable producing assets. But many youths are averse to farm labour, and in the interest of a primary producing country this antipathy should be broken down, and those strongenough induced to take up an occupation which, with the application of hard work and scientific knowledge, offers every chance of success. The report notes that of 5908 boys registered as unemployed 1172 have been placed on farms and 1078 in trades, shops and offices, and in miscellaneous occupations. It is safe to say, however, that many more could be placed on farms if they were not so disinclined. The report also notes the closing of avenues of employment to apprentices owing to the severe economic conditions, some losing their positions as their employers have been either forced to give up business or have no work for them. In this respect the report falls short of anticipations, for it suggests nothing to ameliorate present conditions. It is the law mainly that presses hard upon employers, and were the many restrictions lightened a substantial percentage' of youths could without doubt find employment of a helpful nature. On the whole, however, the report is a valuable document. It mentions rightly the duty of parents, and' outside of them centre organisations to help the boys. That has been done in Palmerston North with splendid success. Boys have been encouraged to attend special classes at the Technical School and employment has been found for a large number. No panacea could be fraffied for such a tragic feature of our social life, but in its many phases the report should be of a’ decidedly helpful nature.