TRAINING ON FARMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 September 1929, Page 5

TRAINING ON FARMS.

SCHEME! FOR NEW ZEALAND BOYS. THE PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS. [By Telegraph—Press Assoiation » WELLINGTON, Sept- 4. An. important decision was reached by Cabinet at. its meeting to-day with reference to the training of New Zealand boys in farm work. After the meeting the Prime Minister, the Et. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, stated that during the pa.st two or three years there had been considerable difficulty in obtaining suitable occupations for Now Zealand boys, on leaving ■school. In order to alleviate conditions the existing Government, had decided to inaugurate a scheme for New Zealand boys to be trained as farmers'. The scheme would be under the direction of the Under-Secretary of Immigration, and it would be on somewhat i similar lines to that which had been in operation during the past four years for public and secondary school boys from the United Kingdom. In order to make a success of the scheme it must be understood that applicants, were only to. be those whose inclinations were to follow fanning -pursuits, and whose parents were prepared to assist where possible. dllie principal conditions controlling the scheme wore: (1) Boys who are accepted must not, as a general rule, be under 15 years of age; (2) they will be guaranteed a minimum commencing wage £>f 10s per week for the first three months, and 15s per week for the second three months, together with boai-d and lodging, the rate of increase in wages after that period to' depend entirely on the boy himself; (3) lads will not be indentured unless by mutual agreement between the farmer and the parents, for a period of six months’ employment . ‘‘lt will be possible for successful trainees under tin’s scheme, on the completion of their training period, to take advantage of the provisions’ of the proposed land settlement legislation and amendments of the land laws to be brought down this session.” added Sir Joseph. ‘‘The Immigration Depart-! ment or the Labour Department will < be prepared to receive applications from both farmers and boys.”