FOR THE SONS OF HEROES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 10

FOR THE SONS OF HEROES

NOBLE OFFER FROM NEW ZEALAND. The following is from Lake’s Falmouth Packet, Cornwall Advertiser and Visitors’ List” of Alay 8: A noble offer comes from the sheepowners of New Zealand for the sons of men of the Navy ; Mercantile Marine, anil Royal Marines, who died at sea in the war or were disabled. Between tho ages of 14 and 17, sons of such men may be taken free to New Zealand, taught farming, receive pay, and finish up with a bank balance. To explain the scheme Air E. V. Ivey, secretary of the New Zealand iSheepownors’ Farm Fund Training Scheme, visited Falmouth and attended a meeting in the Council Chamber. Alderman C. Spargo, J.P., occupied the chair and remarked he had no doubt all would be pleased to learn of the fund and its objects, which, he understood, were for the benefit of the sons of deceased and disabled officers and seamen who had performed such gallant service during the great war. ATr Ivey then explained the scheme which is briefly to administer over £200,000 subscribed by the sheopowners of New Zealand as a slight token of their indebtedness to the officers and men of the Royal Navy and mercantile marine, for guarding the seas during the period of the. war. Boys of fourteen years of ago and over, who desired to learn farming were takon to New Zealand free of all expense, provided with an outfit of clothing, hoots, etc., to the value of about £2O. During the voyage they were placed under the care of an experienced official and on arrival in the country met by a member of tlie committee of the fund, and taken to the training school. There they received six months theoretical and practical training, in whatever branch of farming they desired to adopt—sheep owning, milk farming or dairying. At the end of that period arrangements were made for the boys to be apprenticed under an indenture to one of tin l farmers ill the island for a period of three years. During that time tho boys were housed, fed and paid a weekly wage of 12s and upwards. A boy was allowed to retain one third of his wages lor personal use, the remaining two-thirds were transmitted to the trustees of the fund to be invested in the boy’s name, so that by the time he finished his apprenticeship there was a nice little nest egg of several pounds . which would be available for him to start on Ins own account.

The boys wove carefully looked after during the whole of the time by the" trustees who were mostly high officials of the New Zealand Government. Air Ivey also mentioned that Lord Jellicoe had visited the school and was so impressed with the facilities provided, and the care taken ot the lads, that he had- consented to become a member of tho .committee formed in this country to deal with the preliminary arrangements lor selecting and forwarding to New Zealand those who desired to take advantage of 1 His splendid opportunity. Various questions relating to the care of the lulls were put to the secretary, who gave satisfactory replies. He also stated that any boy being the son of a widow could, after serving his apprenticeship, appeal to the New Zealand Government for an assisted passage to New Zealand for his mother and sisters, in order that they might join him in a new home. On the motion of the Alayor at I’enrvn (Alr C. V. Andrew), seconded by Afujor W. 1). Luurd, Mr Ivey was cordially thanked lor his address and promised all support in making the scheme known in this district.

Further particulars of the fund and its objects can be obtained from the local area office of the Ministry of Pensions, or tho Employment Exchange.