H.—3sb

draw special attention is that advanced by Dr. C. E. Beeby, of Canterbury College, Christchurch, and is what he terms a " twin probationer scheme." In this he suggests that legislation be passed making it impossible to employ any boy (or girl) below the age of sixteen for more than half time, making it compulsory for every child below that age to attend school or other classes for at least half time. Any employer wishing to engage a boy below sixteen would require to engage a pair. Each boy would alternate, say, two weeks at work and two weeks at school, and would be paid only for his working periods. The total wages paid by the employer would remain the same, each boy receiving only half the present full wage. From the boy's point of view the problem of wages is negligible compared with that of the moral deterioration through continued unemployment. One of the important results of such a scheme would be (a) either the number of juveniles in employment below the age of sixteen would be ckrabled, or (b) vacancies would be created for older boys. We attach for consideration of the Government the full memorandum as prepared by Dr. Beeby. (See Appendix I.) Limited Opportunities in Cities. Probably the most serious effect of the present economic crisis is that large numbers of boys leaving school with the hope of taking up professional, clerical, or other skilled occupations, find that the opportunity to do so is not present. It could perhaps be asserted that at no period in the history of New Zealand have commerce and industry offered such slender chances for the absorption of boys on completing their school-life. The difficulty of placing boys in these avenues of employment is shown by the figures supplied by the Boys' Unemployment Committees in Auckland and Wellington respectively : —

Opportunity in the Country. It will, therefore, be seen that many boys must of necessity turn their attention to agricultural and pastoral pursuits in order to obtain an occupation in life. The various organizations that have been working for the welfare of workless boys have been able to place a number of boys on farms, and we consider that something further must be done for them in order that they may ultimately become established as farmers rather than remain farm workers. We also regard the present as a time when it is desirable and opportune to establish a closer relationship between science and agriculture in New Zealand. With this end in view we have approached various farming educational institutions, colleges, and high schools, and have arranged that a course of scientific agricultural training be given to these boys during a portion of each year. This training will be provided without any cost to the boys. Having had the opportunity 'of discussing this phase of the work with Professor Alexander, of Lincoln College, Mr. F. Milner, C.M.G., M.A., Eector of the Waitaki Boys' High School, Mr. W. H. Moyes, Principal of the New Plymouth Boys' High School, and Mr. J. E. Strachan, M.A., B.Sc, of Rangiora High School, we are of the opinion that for the reasons given below a boy should have worked for some months on a farm before receiving the scientific training referred to. (1) The boy will then have shown whether he has the necessary qualifications and temperament for farm work. (2) He will know the practical difficulties and problems of farming and be better prepared to receive this training. (3) It will also make teaching easier, and open up in the boys' minds problems they would not otherwise be able to appreciate.

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I August, 1932. | In the City. On Farms. Total. . Auckland boys placed .. .. 21 70 91 Wellington boys placed .. .. 21 36 j 57 Totals for the two centres .. 42 106 148