IMMIGRATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 1 February 1924, Page 5

IMMIGRATION.

ENGLISH BOYS FOR FARM WORK FARMERS’ UNION’S SUGGESTIONS. Wellington, Jan. 31. A junior immigration scheme under which a number of secondary school boys are being brought from Great Britain to the Dominion to be employed (by farmers and be trained by them in agricultural pursuits, was discussed by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The secretary outlined the scheme and stated that the Prime Minister while in Britain recently made certain preliminary arrangements in connection with the matter.

The president. Mr. Polson, said he believed the scheme would provide means for young men and youths of a suitable kind to come to the Dominion from Britain and would be a good thing for the young people and for the country. A motion was carried that the boy immigrants who come out to New Zealand farmers be under the nominated system, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union being the nominator. Mr. Thomson, Under-Secretary for Immigration, addressed the committee on the scheme. He said in South Australia payments were: Boys 15 to 16 years, on engagement 10/- per week; after four months. 11/-; after the first year, 14/-; after the second year, 17/6, with increasing amounts until they reached 18 years of age. It was agreed to recommend the Minister of Immigration to arrange that the minimum wage for a year be 10/- a week, 4/- a week to be paid to the boy, the remainder, in addition to his keep, excluding clothing, to be paid direct by the employer to the Immigration Department. The secretary stated that as to the twelve boys already coming out. he would nominate them on behalf of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S ACTIVITY London, Jan. 30. Sir James Allen has found a numlber |of suitable boys and is ascertaining I how many are agreeable to migrate to New Zealand.—(A. and N.Z.)