TRAINING AND SETTLING YOUTHS ON FARMS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 9 August 1932, Page 15

TRAINING AND SETTLING YOUTHS ON FARMS.

TO THB BDITOa OT THB PMB3. Sir, —Distress is too plainly visible on the faces of members of the Technical College Board of Governors. We read in The Peessi report that "two extra classrooms, built largely by the boys, and an additional engineering workshop had enabled all the pupils to be accommodated this year," but that "no admission" would be the fate of a number of next year's would-be entrants. Some twelve years ag<> A urged on the Technical College Board the adoption of a bold, forward policy. The mangold-potato patch at Ensor's road was all very well as a vegetable plot; but it did not enthuse lads on that great subject agriculture. True, another section was acquired at Papanui, another, it is reported, out m the country. Meanwhile, Kangiora has all its lands in a compact, up-to-date farm over 100 acres, adjoining the Bchool. If the _ Board of today had as much. vision as Mr Strachan and his little band of workers a straight cut-out of this youth unemployment oould be made. Youths under guidance can build and plough and farm much better than' mental patients or prisoners. There is no labour so economic as young-man labour properly directed. It has the enthusiasm and the drive of young aggressive masculinity. "Organised it becomes a giant, ready to hew out a track to the "new agriculture," the "agriculture" that combines a dozen trades and industries. The revenue of the Unemployment Board is over the three million pounds mark. Cannot we beg, borrow, or grab a few thousands to purchase a few thousand-acre farms on the model of Paparua prison farm, each supporting a score, or two of youths? The scheme must be self-supporting, and run on scientific business lines. — You,., etc., p _ j ALLEYi August Bth, 1932.