5. 
were to be adopted at all generally by Authorities in the more 
prosperous areas. We do not think it will be. When the extent 
of the problem and the needs of the young lads in the depressed 
areas are made known, and when it is realised that any single area 
need be called upon to receive a mere handful of youngsters—an 
influx so small that it is inconceivable that it can have any depress- 
ing effect on wages and conditions generally—we do not think that 
any narrow local preoccupations will stand in the way. 
74. Even if all financial and practical difficulties are overcome, 
however, there will still remain cases where these difficulties are not 
the only obstacle in the way of transfer. The unwillingness of 
parents to let their children leave home and the fear of unsatis- 
factory associations in their new occupations may prove equally 
real obstacles. Action to overcome these must, we think, be left 
in the main to private effort and initiative. The admirable example 
set by such bodies as Juvenile Advisory Committees and Juvenile 
Employment Committees, and such societies as the Young Men's 
Christian Association, the Church Army, the Salvation Army, the 
Church of England Men’s Society and Toc H., in this field might 
well be emulated. The State provides in the centres 
machinery for mitigating demoralisation and assists in find- 
ing an opportunity of employment; we think that by the 
co-operation of employers and by the use of voluntary funds 
the gap between wages and the cost of living will be bridged 
where necessary. We look to private initiative and to the beneficent 
help of such voluntary bodies and organisations to supply those 
influences in the boys’ new homes which parents may rightly 
expect to surround their children in adolescence, and so to overcome 
the natural reluctance which may deprive the youngsters of a new 
start in life. We do not think it necessary to stress the 
responsibility that rests upon parents in these areas to consider 
seriously the future of their children, but we hope that at the 
schools also every encouragement will be given to the boys and 
girls to think about openings in other areas and other trades. 
75. In a comparatively short period a real inroad could be made, 
we are convinced, info the problem of unemployment among 
Juveniles in the depressed areas by concerted effort in this country. 
Such an achievement requires continuous efforts by the Ministry 
of Labour and by Local Education Authorities, the laying aside of 
local prejudices in the knowledge of the greater need outside, and 
above all, the real co-operation of all employers of juvenile labour, 
first by offers of employment and later by being ready to 
realise the difficulties of the youngster uprooted from his home 
and to make easier the change-over to a new life. For this co- 
Operation we now appeal, addressing our appeal, as in the last 
resort we must, not solely to organisations, either Governmental 
or local, but rather to the thousands of private persons in whose 
hands rests the kev to success.