BOYS AND FARM WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 23

BOYS AND FARM WORK.

At various times In your columns complaints have been voiced by different persons and organisations about the , disinclination of unemployed youths to go on the land. .Also,, for a considerable time . past a number of persons who should speak with authority, including Parliamentary representatives of the farming community, and others connected with farmers' organisations, have argued, and afforded statistical proof, that the prices realised by the principal farm products in the world's markets are well below the cost of production. This,, in spite of the fact that the general community has been over-taxed to provide the farmer with cheap manures, cheap railway transportation, cheap petrol, reduction of rates, freedom from land tax, and reductions in valuation and interest charges. If these various. authorities are to be believed, and they ought to be in » position to know, the plight of the average farmer is worse than that of the average relief worker. Is it any wonder then that modern youth, especially such as have had the advantage or a good secondary school education should shy clear of a career, which, according to the farmer himself and his representatives, offers no present prospects, except hard work, long' hours, ' and" financial losses as a' reward? With the present price of land and the expense of stocking a farm adequately, agricultural implements, etc., the cost of a farming career would apparently be much greater than that of a number of professions which would afford adequate remuneration for Work done while allowing the enjoyment of all civilised amenities. Finally there ■is nofcling in our much vaunted education system that would predispose any youth to go farming; ratherl;h<* reverse." THE OTHER SIDE.