SCHOOLBOYS FOR FARMS

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 8

SCHOOLBOYS FOR FARMS

A VACATION SCHEME LADS KEEN TO HELP [Special to the • Stab.’] WELLINGTON. November 23. The keenness of schoolboys to play an effective part in. the national war effort during tbo midsummer holidays was commented upon by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, to-day, when referring to the schemes being administered bv the Government Youth Centres at Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch and the placement offices elsewhere t o ■place boys of 15 years of age and over on farms during their Christmas vacation. The youths are to be employed upon the conditions and wages bases of the Agricultural Workers’ Act, and the Minister said that every reasonable precaution would be taken to ensure that only those who. appeared physically suitable would be sent forward. As this would be their first employment for most of the boys, and their first absence from home under employment conditions, attention would also be paid to the standard of accommodation and the meal arrangements. The proposed wages specified by the legislation ranged from £1 a week for dairying work and 18s 6d weekly for pastoral and other farm work by boys from 15 to 17 ye&rs of age, to £2 12s 6d and £2 5s a week respectively for men of 21 years of age and over. In addition, board and lodging were to be provided, or a cash payment made in lieu of this. The Minister stressed his wish that no farmer applying for boys under this scheme would ask any (ad to undertake a task too heavy or too sustained for his years. “ Youthful enthusiasm,” added Mr Webb, “ deserves to be encouraged in every way,, and those who support and promote it will render good service for the Dominion in its war effort.”