FUTURE FARMERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10167, 23 July 1924, Page 2

FUTURE FARMERS

PUBLIC SCHOOLBOYS. ' ARRIVE BY CORINTHIC. AUCKLAND, July 22. Brought out on the Cormthie, under the auspices of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, there are 23 boys, chosen from well-known public schools in England, and, like other parties that have already come out to New Zealand under this scheme, they are a fine stamp, and should do much to carry on the Public School tradition in their new sphere. New Zealand has been quick to realise the. possibilities of the English public school lad as a potential settler, and has made careful and thorough plane for his absorption. The boys are selected by a British Public School Masters’ Conference on behalf of district organisations in New Zealand, which choose farmers who are willing and able to take and train the lads. The boys are given a minimum training of two years, and are paid for their services according to their . worth. Later, the organisations, which are composed of commercial men and farmers, advise the boys and their parents as to the taking up and working of sections of land. The idea fis to provide the lads with a sound farming training, and an opportunity of getting to know the condition of the country, so that they can subsequently undertake operations on their own account with every prospect of success. The boys had their own prefects on the journey out. They messed together, and generally were a happy party. They come out under the best possible conditions. Their fares are practically all paid by the New Zealand and British Governments; they are met at the port of disembarkation; they are the guests of leading citizens of Taranaki until they are taken out to the farms on which they are to receive their training; their progress is watched by a disinterested organisation ; they are safeguarded from all possibility of exploitation, and, later, when they are equipped to take _ up farming for themselves, they are given every assistance. Before tho C'orinthic sailed, General Sir Andrew Russell, who commanded the New Zealand Forces in the war, spoke to the lads, pointing out the advantages and opportunities that New Zealand offered as a field of emigration for hoys of grit and character, such as English Public School boys possessed, and the necessity, for upholding the traditions of their schools and of their country in the new land.