FAIRBRIDGE FARM SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 257, 27 July 1936, Page 8

FAIRBRIDGE FARM SCHOOLS

Are We to Have One in New Zealand? (To the Editor.) Sir, —“The Dominion” of Saturday last reported that a Fairbridge farm school will be established shortly in New South Wales. And the “Times Weekly” of June 18 announces that “Kingsley Fairbridge memorial farms are likely to be opened in the eastern and western provinces. of Southern Rhodesia.” For these two schemes the Child Emigration Society has at its disposal the sum of £70,000 —enough, it has declared, for the establishment of one, or possibly two, new farm schools. The position is therefore that if both Southern Rhodesia and New South Wales are to have Fairbridge farm schools,. New Zealand is not to have one. For some months past the generous offer of the Child Emigration Society and the British Government has been under the consideration of our Government. Is not the public now entitled to know the result of these deliberations? Should it not know also the Government's attitude toward the future of Flock House? If the Government regards the Fairbridge scheme as undesirable, now is surely the time to say so, or political opponents will be able to contend with some show of reason that it was the Government's indecision and procrastination which enabled both New South Wales and Rhodesia to steal a march on this country.—l am, etc.. R. A. LOCHORE. Scots College, Wellington.

AWAITING CABINET DECISION

Immigration Issue Raised

Au early decision is expected by the Flock House trustees concerning the proposals placed before the Government for the establishment of a Fairbridge farm school at Flock House, Bulls. In an interview by telephone last night, Mr. T. R. Lees, managing trustee of Flock House, said the question of establishing a Fairbridge school in New Zealand was still under consideration by the Government. 'The attitude of Cabinet toward the immigration of the children would have to be known before anything could be done. Asked if the establishment of a school iu New South Wales would mean a virtual abandonment of the proposal to establish one at Flock House, Mr. Lees said that was hardly the position. It was felt, however, that if the English authorities committed themselves to a big scheme in Australia, that would prejudice the chances of having a school established in the Dominion.