H —35b.

any efforts made by these organizations to combat the evils of unemployment in youth they will receive the whole-hearted support of the community. The public are prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with these lads and assist them to prepare themselves for their life's work and to become worthy citizens. This objective can be attained if we organize our resources and direct them wisely and sympathetically. During the course of our investigations throughout New Zealand we have visited many centres, including agricultural districts, and have interviewed those in charge of our technical schools, agricultural colleges, and high schools in an endeavour to get a line on the action that should be taken to effectively deal with the problem under discussion. We have had the opportunity of addressing many meetings, and, as a result, have received valuable suggestions and have been able to assist in the necessary organization in various districts. We have aimed at pooling ideas, plans, and resources in order to achieve the maximum efficiency of co-ordina-tion. We acknowledge the splendid efforts of the Y.M.C.A., churches, and voluntary organizations who have already been dealing with the matter most efficiently. A feature in the work of organization is the number of retired Civil servants who are voluntarily giving their time to assist. The problem, unfortunately, cannot be regarded as one of a temporary nature, for by the end of the present year a large number of boys will be added to the list of those seeking a life's vocation. We have been informed in various districts that many boys are staying on at school for the reason that they have been unable to obtain employment, and the possibilities are that the close of the present school year may see a larger number of boys than usual leaving our schools. The Education Department has adopted -a sympathetic attitude, and primary-school children have been encouraged to return to school after passing Standard VI if they cannot find employment, and do not wish to go on to post-primary schools. The extension of junior free places was granted by the Government to allow and to encourage unemployed boys and girls to return to post-primary schools. The following are the numbers of pupils whose junior free places were extended, instead of their swelling the numbers out of employment:— Secondary schools .. .. .. .. . . 348 Technical schools .. .. .. .. 129 District high schools .. .. .. ..118 .: Total _ .. .. .. .. .. 595 It will therefore be seen that the attitude of the Department has been of a distinctly helpful nature. Technical Training. Our investigations show that many boys are entering manhood unfitted for the battle of life which lies ahead, and that unless special efforts are made to- provide facilities for their vocational training these boys will enter the ranks of unskilled workers. The normal solution is work, but if there is none available a substitute must be found. Technical training can provide the stepping-stone to regular employment when industry revives. The country may not at present be able to employ these boys, but can still less afford to let them drift. The natural sequence to unemployment is deterioration —physical, moral, and mental. It is therefore of the utmost importance that local organizations shall make such arrangements with technical-school authorities in the various centres as will assist in overcoming this difficulty by providing facilities for vocational training. At this stage of our report we desire to pay a tribute to technical-school authorities for their helpful advice and the voluntary assistance offered. Abundant evidence has been produced which shows that technical training in New Zealand is of a very high order. The technical training that will be provided will be of such a nature as will serve the useful purpose of preparation for the industrial sphere that may be entered into at a later date, and, although this training will not actually equip the students with the skill that can only be acquired by practical work, it will develop habits of industry and sustain or restore personal, physical, and mental qualities. Any scheme of training to attain the best possible results must take into account the boys' physical, social, and intellectual nature and activities, and be so arranged as to provide a well-balanced programme.

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