FLOCK HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 10

FLOCK HOUSE

VALUABLE WOKK WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") PALMBBSTON N., This Day. The hope that the public of New Zealand would never let Flock House pass back into private hands and that it would always be kept for such a purpose as it is now used for, was expressed at the annual meeting of subscribers to the fund, held in Palmerston North yesterday. The chairman of trustees, Mr. E. Newman, M.P., who fathered the scheme reminded those present that in a few years the Supply of sons of British sailors killed or totally disabled during the war would soon be at an end—perhaps in a matter of three or four years. Although the scheme was started by New Zealand sheepowners it had national benefits, and the general feeling was that it would bo a'misfortune if the station was allowed to go back into private hands. It had proved itself so admirably adapted for the work and improvements carried out had enhanced its value so much, that it was important that it should be continued as a public institution. He hoped the people of New Zealand would take an interest in the institution before it was too late. Although the Flock House system did not teach farming, it taught the lads enough about the work to enable them to be worth their wages, and the system had proved itself. It had been a mystery to him why the Government had not established similar institutions throughout New Zealand. Certainly Flock House had had the advantage of capital, but on the other hand the Government had the advantage of land. The question of the future of Flock House was an important one, and the trustees had been in communication with the Imperial authorities in the hope that something might come from the other side as well. Representatives of the Imperial Government had not only admired the work being carried out, but had also expressed the desire that it should be made available for all boys desirous of becoming farmers. i BOYS ON THE LAND. A second important question to be faced soon was the settling of the boys on the land, and ere long a number would be qualifying for farms of their own. One of the most important events this year had been the inclusion in the Land Bill of a clause enabling that to be done. The clause would enable such institutions as Flock House to take up Crown land and develop it. The trustees had some blocks of land m sight, and hoped to submit them to the Government. Whether they will be suitable or not would depend largely on the price put upon them. Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., referred to the same subject when speaking later in the meeting. The trustees were faced with a great deal of responsibility for they wanted to put the boys on land where they would make good. A great deal of care would have to be exercised in selecting the land. The trustees would do their best, and lie knew the bojvs would do their part. Mr. C. M. Luke (Wellington) considered Flock House the best concrete example of what organisation could accomplish—firstly, in the interests of the lads, and secondly, in the interests of. a country like New Zealand. He hoped that not only would the Government take up the work, but that I lock House would be continued so that the boys of New Zealand might be able to have a training ground from which to qualify as farmers' assistants and widen their sphere of experience. The reputation of 7lock House had gone far and wide.