FARM SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21978, 30 December 1936, Page 10

FARM SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

. . ♦ FROPOSALS FOR THREE STATES ASSISTED MIGRATION FROM BRITAIN (FEOM OUB OWN COBEESPONDEKT.) SYDNEY, December 24 The establishment of farm schools in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland for boy immigrants may result from a revival next year of a restricted form of migration from Great Britain. There may also be an extension in Western Australia of the Fairbridge Farm School system, and the inauguration in Queensland of a system of assisted immigration of relatives of British subjects living there. Costs of assisted migration are expected to be shared by the Commonwealth, the states, and Britain. All the states have made known to the Commonwealth their attitude on the question, and it appears that only Tasmania and South Australia are opposed to any scheme for a resumption of assisted migration. No written agreement between Britain and Australia is necessary for the adoption of a scheme, it is stated. When the Overseas Settlement Bill, at present before the House of Commons, has been passed by the British Parliament, the way will be , clear. It is understood that the Common- ,* wealth Government has undertaken to subscribe up to 3s a week towards the cost of training each boy immigrant in Queensland, and that Britain will contribute ss. In Victoria 3000 acres of the Glenmore Estate, near Bacchus Marsh, is expected to be converted into a farm school, to be known as the Northcote Farm School, which would be ready for occupation by next July. Within a few years it would have a complement of 225 boys. The Commonwealth would contribute up to £7OOO and Britain up to £14,000 for capital expenditure, and the contributions toward upkeep would be £IOOO and £I7OO respectively. A site for a similar farm school in New South Wales has not yet been selected, but the establishment of such a school in this state would also be contingent upon contributions towards costs being received from the Commonwealth and Britain.