FUTURE FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 72, 18 December 1926, Page 10

FUTURE FARMERS

TRAINING BRITISH BOYS

ANOTHER SCHEME COMMENCED

The negotiations that have been in progress between the New Zealand Government and the Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition on the question of oversea settlement scholarships have been completed, and, according to the latest cabled advice, twelve scholarship holders are leaving England on December- 31 by the louic, which is expected to arrive nt Auckland on February 7. The youths, who arc between the ages of 16 and 19, are to take up studies at thq Ruakura State Farm, the necessary arrangements having been made for their admission.

The scholarships allotted are out of the Fellowship fund to enable lads in Great Britain to be sent to New Zealand to be trained as farmers, and for this purpose a first sum of £lOOO has been earmarked by the Fellowship. The idea underlying the scheme is that the boys should undertake a one year’s course at the State Farm, after which the Government will do its best to place them with good farmers, but in the event of any boy proving untractable or otherwise unsatisfactory, the State can take no permanent responsibility for him. Each scholarship holder is required to be equipped with suitable clothes for farm work and a certain amount of bed linen, and parcnts\and guardians have to make provision for pocket money. The cost per boy per year to th e Fellowship works out at £46 10s., plus the cost of stationery, while the contribution of the New Zealand Government, as represented by board, etc., is on a basis of £39 per boy per annum. It is understood that .the Fellowship will be assisted in its contribution by the Oversea .Settlement Committee.