"PLAYED WITH."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 214, 10 September 1931, Page 10

"PLAYED WITH."

BOYS FOR WORK ON THE LAND

FUTURE FARMERS' COMMITTEE

The Future Farmers' Committee of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League reported to a general meeting yesterday that it started operations towards the end of March last, and b*d been successful in placing 45 boys. At present the demand by employers was greater than available labour, which stipulated in most eases "a boy wanted with some experience." The total funds which had been available amounted to £20, and the whole of the out-of-pocket disbursements, without any charge for the necessary labour, had exhausted all but about £6. The response to the request for funds had been disappointing. The Minister of Labour had declined to assist. That was most discouraging. Members would be surprised to know the unhelpful tone in a letter from the New Zealand Farmers' Union. "Frankly," said Mr.. N. 6. Gribble, chairman, "the position now is that I personally have for six months past been making such contribution to the work we have undertaken as appears to me unreasonable to exp'ect me to continue. Under these circumstances, I will make representations to the league telling it that the position must be revised, and so far as this office is concerned we will be unable to continue on the present basis after the end of the present month." Members would be aware of the announced proposals of the Unemployment Board to place up to 100 lads, really as cadets, with farmers, paying the sum of 5/ per week from the funds as remuneration, continued Mr. In view of the position as the committee knew it, the proposals, seemed farcical, and the board had failed to realise that its suggestions must interfere with the sterling work dorie by the committee, j "In the circumstances as they exist to-day," he added, "it must be apparent to anythoughtful person that the only possible -avenue for extension is in connection with some industry utilising the soil, and so long as the attitude of .the Government as expressed in letters from the Minister of Agriculture and the chairman of the Unemployment Board remains unaltered, it is evident that the present position is simply being played with."