ENGLISH SCHOOLBOYS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 44, 16 November 1925, Page 10

ENGLISH SCHOOLBOYS

FARMERS CRITICISE SCHEME

NOT ALTOGETHER SATISFACTORY By Txlxgraph.—PrKss Association. Gisborne, November 14. A discussion at a meeting of the Farmers’ Union to-day brought out some frank expressions of opinion concerning some of the English schoolboys, who are being brought out _to the Dominion to learn farming. The discussion arose over one lad. applying for a transfer, the application being opposed by his employer, Mr. J. C. Field. It was suggested that a special committee be set np to hear the complaints of dissatisfied lads. Mr. Cameron said many of the lads we'e useless when they arrived, and as soon as thev were of use they wanted to leave' to get higher wages. He thought the lads should be bound for a set time, at set wages. The president, Mr. G. T. Trafford, suggested that the matter be held over till the Under-Secretary visited Gisborne, when he could hear the lads and the employers. Mr. Adair said the farmers understood the boys were to get only ten shillings weekly for the first twelve months, but now many' were getting one pound and twenty-five shillings. The boys should be kept down to ten shillings for the first year, and if the farmers were pleased with them, the lads could be given a bonus. Mr. Field suggested there might be unsuitable places, and the lads should not have to remain there. Mr. Cameron said the boys were writing home saying they were not well treated, and that-was doing harm to the. scheme. He thought the boys should be tied down for two years. Personally, he wouldn’t again be bothered with the scheme. The boys often had swelled heads, and went off at all times, whether farmers were busy or not. The, scheme could only be successful bv control. It was decided to defer further action till the Under-Secretary visits Gisborne.