FUTURE OF FLOCK HOUSE

Evening Post, Issue 113, 10 November 1930, Page 8

FUTURE OF FLOCK HOUSE

At the annual meeting of subscribers to the Acknowledgment of Debt Fund on Friday, the future use of Flock House was discussed. The fund was raised for a special purpose, to assist dependants of sailors killed or disabled in the war, and Flock House was purchased and converted into a reception institution in pursuance of that aim. The success which has attended the scheme is known far beyond New Zealand's shores. Flock House, indeed, has become a model of its kind. It is not a training farm. This Mr. Newman pointed out in his address to subscribers. It is rather a reception and drafting establishment. At Flock House the boys new to New Zealand life and new to country life are received and, under skilled and sympathetic direction, are able to settle down to strange conditions. The institution and its staff bridge the most difficult gap between British town life and New Zealand farm life. One cannot doubt that this work alone is of the greatest value. Many a boy of good character and a willing worker would find himself disheartened by the strangeness of the life were he placed at once on a New Zealand farm. And many a farmer, receiving such a boy and not being experienced in handling youth, would hastily decide that the boy was not fit for the life. The success of the Flock House scheme is amply attested in the account of the work done which we published in a special Manawatu Show Number on Thursday. Over 500 boys have received initial training at Flock House and have since completed that training or are completing it with individual farmers. Some have taken up land for themselves. The two great features of the Flock House work are: the initial "breaking in" of lads so that the first newness is worn off before they go to the individual farm, and the watchful supervision and after-care exercised by the Flock House staff and trustees. No boy is sent from Flock House and left to shift for himself. He is advised, encouraged, and assisted until he has finally established himself. ,Now Flock House is nearing the end of possible service in the present scheme. The supply of eligible youths is almost exhausted. The question is asked: Should Flock House again become a private farm? We do not think that this shoujd be permitted. The establishment has been brought to a high standard of. efficiency. It is staffed by men who are highly capable and experienced in the work they have to do. Neither the'equipment nor the experience should be lost. There is scope for the operation of a similar scheme for New Zealand boys. Indeed there is great need for such a scheme. There is increasing difficulty in finding suitable employment for New Zealand boys. Many of them could, no doubt, be placed in the country, but parents are reluctant to send them direct to farms, and farmers appear equally reluctant to take boys direct from the towns. Flock House could help to bridge that gap as it has bridged the greater gap between the Home -youth and the New Zealand farm. With Flock House as a clearing-house, and the Flock House trustees and staff as experienced intermediaries, the gulf between town youth and a country career should be filled. The details of a plan enabling Flock House to be continued on such lines cannot be set down without further consideration, but it is not too soon for consideration to begin. But one point should be

kfept in view: Flock House is a living) institution, and its life should be continued in any future plans. It would not be sufficient to transfer the farm and homestead without the experience and interest which have made the past work so successful.