Flock House

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21323, 16 November 1934, Page 10

Flock House

The annual report of Flock House, printed in part in " The Press " yesterday, summarises a history of admirable achievement. In 10 years nearly 800 boys and girls, the children of British seamen killed or disabled in the Great War, have received their training and the chance of a career. More than 60 of them are established as independent farmers. Every boy has been enabled to find a satisfactory permanent position on farm or station; and more boys have been wanted than could be supplied. The subscribers to the New Zealand Sheep Owners' Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund have reason to be proud of the success of the plan they chose to express their own and the national gratitude. But they heard at the annual meeting certain facts less cheering. The opportunities open to New Zealand soldiers' sons j are so little used that where 70 could be accommodated—and the organisation of Flock House is designed for an economic working minimum of 60—only 35 are now under training. Obviously there must be in the Dominion enough soldiers' sons to fill the vacancies over and over

again; and the disqualification that prevents them from being filled can only be want of liking for farm work and farm life. There 'are, of course, deterrent facts in the position of agriculture in the Dominion, but not so strongly deterrent as to overbalance its attraction to apt boys and its special promise to Flock House trainees. As Mr A. Stuart, M.P., said, " There is talk about the " prospects not being good for young " men going farming; but . . . they "never were better. A young man "can get a very, good job in the " country to-day and a good wage." It is difficult to avoid another speaker's conclusion that the taste for town life and distaste for country life are spreading and deepening, and impossible not to regret it, if it means, as it can only mean, that the heart of an agricultural country is weakening and the spirit which it needs is being bred and educated out of it. On such a view, New Zealand has a much subtler and more anxious problem than any which Mr Elliot can set it; and it will not be solved by Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Acts. In the meantime, the recommendation that Imperial soldiers' sons should fill any places for which New Zealand soldiers' sons cannot be found is fair and in keeping with the original objects of Flock House; but it will be saddening if the present difficulty continues and the recommendation has to be given effect.