APPRENTICESHIP.
[To THE EDITOR OF THY "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Will you allow me to appeal for the interest of your readers in a work which, though immediately local in character, has yet a decidedly national importance P It is a fact so obvious as almost to amount to a truism that England's continued prosperity must depend on her thorough training of her workers. Apprenticeship suggests itself as the most natural means by which to secure this end ; but modern conditions of machine labour have led to such abuses of the system for wages cutting that it has to a great extent fallen into disfavour with the working classes. The Paddington Apprentice- ship and Skilled Employment Association, under the presidency of Sir lltlelvill Beachcroft, has now been working for some time with the chief aim of lessening this objection by emphasising in every way possible the real educational intention of the system. It assists boys and girls particularly recommended by their school- teachers for ability and character to become apprentices. It
• Executive Committee. endeavours, where necessary, to help in the provision of premiums. It, at the same time, tries to secure that there shall be a day technical class attendance clause under reasonable conditions in all indentures such as will not only tend to make efficient teaching certain, but may to some extent check the use of apprentices as
cheap labour. In the case of those not considered suitable for
apprenticeship, visitors are appointed who chief object is to urge and help the children to further study an self-improvement.
Though every effort is made to keep what may be called the "expenses of machinery '• at the lowest possible figure, yet additional annual subscriptions are badly needed if the work is to be developed on effective lines. At the same time, help for the " Special Fund," devoted to individual cases, is very urgently wanted. The secretary, Miss Hilda Bell, Paddington Apprentice- ship and Skilled Employment Association, 37 Sutherland Avenue, W., will be glad to give any further information, and will grate- fully acknowledge all remittances.
—I am, Sir, &c., J. TYRRELL BAYLEIC, Hon. Secretary.
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