WOrK FOR BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 127, 31 May 1928, Page 10

WOrK FOR BOYS

WHY NOT THE .FARM? " 'What can we do with our bays?' is a burning question with parents in New Zealand to-day; offices are full to overflowing, and there are many applications for every vacancy. On the other hand, one hardly ever hears of a boy wanting a position on a farm," stated Mr. W. Perry at the Royal Agricultural Society's Conference last evening. , "There'never was a better opportunity for boys to take up farming life than at 'present. They must be prepared to start at tho bottom and work 'up as our most successful farmers of to-day did when they started. There is too much academic teaching in most schools. The later school, years should be used for training boys in the direction of their life's work, whatever it may be. \ It is my firm conviction that unemployment will continue unless our education system is altered. The age to start a'boy on a farm is not more than sixteen years; he is keener at that ago in his observation, and learns his job quicker and better than after he has been crammed with acadomic learning up to the age of eighteen years. If less were spent on higher education and a greator proportion on vocational training, there would be far fewer misfits in tho community, and the position of tho Dominion economically would be much more sound. Tho Flock House system of dealing with boys from England seems to bo working well. Why shouldn't New Zealand boys get the same opportunity through State institutions? It would give many a town boy a much-needed opportunity. There is always a shortage of skilled farm workers, and the position is getting worse."