JUNIOR IMMIGRATION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 5

JUNIOR IMMIGRATION

FARM BOYS TO BE NOMINATED.

The junior immigration scheme, under which a number of secondary school boys are being brought from Great Britain to the Dominion to be employed by farmers and be trained by them j'n agricultural pursuits, was discussed by • the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day. The secretary.' of the Farmers' Union,, Colonel Fow, out. lined the/scheme, and stated that the' Prime Minister, while in Great Britairii recently, made certain preliminary "ar-.'.' rangements in connection with the mat-: ter. ' ........ The president (Mr. W. J. Poison) said he believed the scheme would provide a means for young men and youths of a suitable kind to come to the Dominion from Great Britain, and would be »-.■ good thing for the young_people and- for ■•the country. : ■ ' It was agreed., on the motion of !^r. •R. D^Duxfield, seconded by Mr..G.. An-', derson: "That the boy immigr.anfs"~wKo' come out to New Zealand farmers h&;----under the'nominated system, the --New-' Zealand Farmers' Union being the- nominator." Mr. H. D. Thomson, Under-Secretary for Immigration, addressed the committee in reference to the scheme. ' Inreply to a question, he said that in South Australia, the payments were:—Boys of.. 16 to 16 years of age, on engagement,- 10s ' per week; after four months, Us; nf-' ter first year, 14s and, after .secb'nd'.year." 17s 6d, -with increasing amounts - until" they reached 18 yars of age. It was agreed to recommend the Min- - ister of Immigration to arrange that jEha.. minimum wage for the first year'be" iOsv per week, 4s a week to be paid to the boy, the remainder; in addition topis' keep, excluding clothing, to be paid direct by the 'employer to the Immigration' Department. • ' - The secretary of the Farmers' Union stated that, as to the twelve boys already coming out, he would nominate. them on behalf of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. .......