H.— 36b.

complement. The difficulty in the first place is that the ships are manned at Home ports. A further difficulty arises from the fact that these ships, on arrival at British ports, are laid up for one month, and this creates a problem for the New Zealand boy, who would have no home to go to during that period. Although these difficulties exist, it is our considered opinion that in a sea-girt country such as New Zealand there should be greater opportunity than unfortunately exists at the present time for our boys to enter seafaring life. Some aspects of this matter were investigated, but it was found that under agreements entered into between shipping interests and employees there would be a difficulty in making arrangements whereby greater numbers of youths could be engaged. The idea, however, seems to us to be well worth further examination. We suggest that the Government consider the question of a consultation with the British shipping companies with a view to placing some of our New Zealand boys as apprentices on ships trading between Britain and New Zealand. The difficulty as to the boys being paid off for a month in Britain may be overcome by the Government considering some small measure of financial assistance to them during that period. Owing to our geographical situation it is difficult for boys with a natural sea-sense to obtain the necessary training at sea, but this might be overcome by some such scheme as suggested. Recommendations . The organization necessary to assist in the problem is essentially a matter for local effort. Boys leaving school and being unable to find employment should be encouraged to return to post-primary schools. Technical training : That local organizations arrange with technical schools to provide facilities for vocational training at both ordinary and continuation classes. It will be for the Government to determine from which Department the necessary financial assistance shall be forthcoming. As the training provided in our technical schools has proved to be efficient we have no hesitation in recommending that, provided a pupil shows a satisfactory degree of proficiency, the time spent at such schools or continuation classes shall be deemed to be a portion of his apprenticeship period— e.g., two years' technical training shall count as one year of apprenticeship. As evidence shows conclusively that opportunities in industry are distinctly limited we must provide incentive for boys to turn their minds towards agricultural life. We recommend that suitable boys be placed in work on farms, that during a portion of the year they be given scientific agricultural training, and that when satisfactory evidence is given of their ability they be given the opportunity suggested by the " Youths' land-settlement scheme " outlined in this report. Further, that every effort be made to establish a closer relationship between science and agriculture, as by this avenue we can more successfully meet competition from countries which are nearer to our principal market. It is also recommended that the specialized farm-training referred to as being in operation at Rangiora High School be extended to all such agricultural-training centres. As the placing of boys on farms is at present the most promising avenue for employment, important questions arise • — e.g., providing efficient training, good homes, and the right kind of supervisory care. There is the difficulty that parents are unwilling to let their boys leave home for fear of unsatisfactory associations in new surroundings. These large factors can be favourably influenced by local organization. Efficient technical training will involve the State in some additional expenditure, but it will be less expensive than repairing the lack of fitness for employment in those who, through industrial causes, have never had a chance of securing employment. The problem is so full of serious possibilities that no effort calculated to improve the employability of boys should be neglected. The specialized farm-training referred to in this report as being in operation at Rangiora High School might, with advantage, be extended to all such agriculturaltraining centres. The ultimate objective of this is to make the home farm permanently

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