YOUTHS ON LAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1944, Page 3

YOUTHS ON LAND

SUBSIDY SCHEME URGED

DESIRE TO BE OWNER-FARMERS Strong support for a scheme for placing boys on the land with the prospect of their ultimately becoming owner-farmers was pledged by the Auckland Education Board at a meeting yesterday. The scheme was urged by the Tauranga District High School Agriculture Committee, and in the absence of the honorary secretary, Mr. A. Bell, Mr. H. C. Read, secondary assistant in charge of the farm course, was invited to attend the meeting. The main feature of the scheme was that a Government subsidy should be made available to supplement the boys' savings. To qualify, boys must have had at least two years at an approved School Farm Course, and have reached the age of 16, and must be recommended for the Government subsidy by their school. It was suggested that the subsidy be on a £1 for £1 basis, with the boys saving £28 the first year, the award wage being £1 4/6 to start, and increasing yearly, as the wages increased. At the end of the eighth year the savings would amount to £500, which, with the Government subsidy, would total £1000. The Tauranga District High School advisory committee announced its willingness to give the scheme a local trial if the Government desired. The Auckland Education Board suggested that the report should receive th.e favourable consideration of the Education Department.