CORRESPONDENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 25 January 1932, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

It must be distinctly understood that we are not to be identified with the opinions expressed by correspondents in our columns. FLOCK HOUSE TRAINING. (To the Editor). Sir, —I am directed to enclose herewith copy of a letter with attached memoranda which has been forwarded to all Patriotic Associations, Returned Soldiers’ Associations, and allied bodies, inviting them to a conference at Flock House Station with a view to determining the possibilities of confiuing the Flock House system of farm training, after-care, and settlement, with New Zealand boys. It is felt that by devoting a small portion of their funds to this purpose the Patriotic Associations can greatly relieve the circamstanecs of many returned soldiers by ensuring to their sons a sound training and subsequent career on the land. —Yours, etc., F. G. HUME. Secretary. [ENCLOSURE.] N.Z SHEEPOWNERS’ ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DEBT TO BRITISH SEAMEN FUND. Flock House Office, Box 428, Palmerston N., January 23, 1932. Dear Sir, —You arc probably aware that, in view of the strong feeling in the Dominion that New Zealand boys should share in the benefits to be obtained by training at Flock House Station for farm employment, the trustees decided that the draft of boys that arrived in October last should bo the [ last one from overseas for the present, and this decision left the way clear for an early entry of New Zealand boys to Flock House, provided ways and means could be devised to arrange this. Flock House is a War Memorial, and it is much to be desired that that feature should be retained, consequently the trustees hope that the extension to New Zealand boys may bo to the sons of ex-N.Z. Expeditionary Force men. The trustees are empowered to expend moneys on the dependents of seamen only, but they arc willing to extend the full benefits of the farm and station, land, stock, buildings, equipment, staff and organisation to the sons of soldiers, provided the maintenance of the latter is arranged for. Previous correspondence and discussions with the bodies concerned in the welfare of soldiers and their dependents show that there is a great desire for the extension of the farm training, aftercare and settlement activities in this direction, and that if all the associations interested could be got together for frank and open discussion, it would be possible to attain a practical solution. The whole question resolves itself into one of ways and means, and my trustees are of opinion that these important issues and the practical details of the extended organisation can be satisfactorily solved only by united action by and co-ordination of each body interested, and the formation of a strong, combined committee with authority from the different bodies to act in the desired direction. For this purpose, my trustees desire to invite your association to send a representative or representatives to a conference to be held at Flock House on Wednesday. 24th February.

Representatives are being asked to attend the conference from eaeh Patriotic Association throughout tho Dominion, oac 1 - branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, headquarters of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the National War Funds Council, and others interested.

Arrangements will be made to meet representatives at Palmerston North, convey them to Flock House, entertain them there, and return them to out going trains after the conference. Mv trustees sincerely hope that youi association will ’-o able to arrange for a represen’itivc to attend and assist in the deliberations of the conference. We shall be glad of a reply as soon as possible so that arrangements for the conference may be finalised. —Yours faithfully, F. G. HUME, Secretary. [MEMORANDA.] If your association is unable to arrange for direct representation, it will perhaps be possible for you to arrange for a member of another association who is attending the conference to re present vour interests. Tho following has been suggested as an outline of the form which the conference should take, but subject to any alteration at the wish of representatives:— (1) Deliberation regarding the period of training, minimum economical number required, cost of maintenance, ago of trainees, subsequent employment, etc., etc. (2) Practicability of the following method of providing trainees: —That the maintenance of a certain fixed number of trainees shall bo guaranteed by each of tho following:— (a) Each Patriotic Association and each branch of tho R.S.A. or Patriotic Association and branch of the R.S.A. in the same district in conjunction. (b) War Funds Council. (c) Canteen Fund through Trantham Scholarship Fund. (d) Trustees of Seamen’s Fund, in regard to any trainees who come within the provisions of the Flock House Trust.

(3) That the Government be requested to subsidise the cost of maintenance for soldiers’ sons during train ing on a fifty-fifty basis. (4) All trainees shall be drawn from or nominated by the district repre seated by the guaranteeing association. Such trainees to be subsequently placed in employment if possible in the districts from which they were drawn. (5) That the local branch of the R.S.A. in conjunction with the local Patriotic Association and assisted by the Y.M.C.A. shall give supervision and aftercare to the trainees in the districts in which they are employed. (6) That a permanent combined eonimittcc of the War Funds Council, Patriotic Associations ami R.S.A. be set up to work in conjunction with the trustees of tho Flock House Fund in regard to all details of the new organisation. (7) That the above permanent coinmittee and any other representatives available, wait upon the Prime Minister on the day following the conference. ■ S) t'ensiderafion of -my ether rr-