BOY EMIGRATION.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 193, 19 October 1925, Page 7

BOY EMIGRATION.

“BIG BROTHER” MOVEMENT.

SUPPORTED BY INFLUENTIAL MEN

A movement begun in Australia, and known as the “Big Brother” movement, will without doubt have considerable influence upon juvenile emigration, says a correspondent to the London Times. It owes its origin to Mr R. Linton, who, during a visit to this country some years ago, realised the need for assuring parents of the future of their sons who might seek their fortunes across the seas by providing some warden who would look after them. Mr Linton returned to Australia and set about finding means of realising his idea, and was not long in enlisting the support of the best citizens of Australia. His idea may prove to be the genesis of a new system of redistributing the population of the United Kingdom. It is practical; its aims are clear; its objects both patriotic and humanitarian. The title of the movement is of happy augury. The Big Brothers are willing to accept the moral responsibility of acting in loco parents to the juvenile emigrants who wish to seek their fortunes in the Dominions. It will now be possible to give parents an assurance that there is an organisation that will have its eye on each bay from the time of his arrival until he has reached manhood and -established himself on Australian soil.

The Big Brothers of Australia constitute the most influential section of the community. Among them are the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and six of his Ministers. The brothers will henceforth wear an enamel badge marked “B.B.” There are also badges marked “L. 8.” This means that a boy who has gone out as a Little Brother may not only look to one Big Brother for help and guidance, but also to all wearers of the emblem. It is thought that by this means the juvenile emigrant will be made to feel he is among friends who are solicitous for his welfare.

The organisation is developing in all parts of the Commonwealth. Boys from the age of 14 to 19 are eligible for participation in the scheme. They must produce with their papers school-leaving certificates and credentials from their schoolmasters and one or two citizens in the district in which they have been brought up. When the papers are completed and approved at Australia House, particulars will be sent in advance of the boy’s departure to the Big Brother Committee of the New Settlers’ League in the State to which the boy is proceeding. Then the committee will apportion the boy to a Big Brother and co-operate with the immigration authorities in finding him suitable employment on a farm or station. Conditions of Nomination.

The conditions of nomination under the scheme will be an undertaking from the boy— That he will follow the advice of his Big Brother until he reaches the age of 21 years; That he will not leave his employer without the written permission of his Big Brother; That he will give good service to his employer at all times: That until he reaches the age of 21 he will not touch strong drink or gamble; That he will write to his parents and Big Brother at least once a month; and

That he, will open an account at the nearest State or Commonwealth Savings Bank, and endeavour to save from his wages a fixed sum every week. When a boy arrives in Australia he will he taken to the home of his Big Brother to stay for a few days before his departure for the place of his employment. the object being to give the hoy ties of friendship and to prevent the feeling of loneliness. When he gets holidays he will thus always have a home to go to. The reason for the, introduction of thrift is that when a boy has acquired the necessary knowledge of the particular branch of farming he has gone in for, at the end of five years b<? will have saved enough to enable him, with the advice of his Big Brother, to acquire his own section. It has to be pointed out that the Big Brothers are interested only in hoys who are prepared to adopt a country life. Boys for cities are not wanted.

Under the new Emigration Agreement boys from 12 to 17 can get to Australia for £5 10s, and boys from 17 to 19 for £ll. The fare can be advanced by the Commonwealth Government, if necessary, and boys can repay this at their convenience. Mr Linton has come to England, with the backing of the Australian Government, to carry out the work of organisation on this side, and he was expecting to send out some 250 boys in September. The idea has had an enthusiastic reception here, and the Duke of Sutherland has accepted the position of patron. The Duchess of Atholl is the president, and Mrs x\merv is a vice-president.