JUNIOR IMMIGRATION SCHEME.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17986, 1 February 1924, Page 3

JUNIOR IMMIGRATION SCHEME.

FARMERS' UNION ATTITUDE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGSAiI.) AYELLINGION, January 31. TJie junior immigration scheme, under which a number of secondary school boys are being brought l'rom Great Britain to the Dominion to bo employed by farmers and to be trained by them in agricultui-.il pursuits, was discussed by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The secretary outlined the scheme, and staled that the Prime Minister, Mr Massi'V, while in Urns in recently liiid made certain preliminary arrangements i:i connexion with the matter? The president,-Mr YV. J. Poison, said that he believed the scheme would provide the means for young men and youths of a suitable Kind to come to the Dominion from Great Britain, and that it would be a good thing for the young people and for the country. A motion was carried that the boy immigrants who come out to New Zealand larmers should be under a nominated system- the Nov.- Zealand Fanners' Union being the nominator. Mr H. D. Thomson, Under-Secretary of Immigration, addressed the committee 011 the scheme. He said that in South Australia payments were:— Boys, 15 to 1G years, on engagement, 10s a week; after four months, lis; after the first_year, lis; al'ter the second year, l<s Ocl, with increasing amounts until they reached 18 years of age. It was agreed to recommend to the Minister of Immigration (Hon. W. Nosworthy) to arrange that the minimum wage for the first year be 10s a week ; 4s a week to be paid to the boy, the remainder, in addition to his keep, excluding clothing, to be paid direct by the employer to the Immigration The Secretary stated that, as to 12 boys already coining out, he would nominate them 011 behalf of the New Zealand Farmers' Union.