FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 284, 1 November 1926, Page 8

FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

“NOTHING LIKE IT IN WORLD.” SIR JAMES ALLEN’S COMMENT. ADVICE TO THE TRAINEES. “My interest in the Flock House scheme for training as farmers the sons of British seamen killed or disabled in the Great War is undying. There is no scheme ill the world to approach this one which brings out the boys and equips -them for life here,” declared Sir James Allen, when addressing the trainees at Flock House on Saturday. Until recently Sir James was New Zealand’s High Commissioner in London, and on Saturday he paid his promised visit to Flock House in company with the Hon. Edward Newman, M.L.C. (chairman of trustees), Mr T. R. Lees (managing trustee) and Colonel Guy Powles, who is also a trustee. . The remark quoted was made, by Sir James when addressing the trainees on parade and he went on to state that he had been looking forward to this visit ever since he had left England —before that, in fact—and very pleased he was to' now see the lads in their training centre. “I have seen most of you before —in London —prior to the respective drafts sailing for New Zealand, but you all look so much better now that I cannot recognise one of you,” added Sir James with a smile. “I have been living in the world for a good many years and have gained a wide experience, and my knowledge of affairs in London and England generally during the past six years puts the coping stone on what I am about to say. It is this: that there is nothing so much worth having as the determination to do what you set out to do.” Sir James addressed the boys on this keynote, telling them what each could do in the cultivation of character and exhorting them to do their best no matter what anyone said.

“NEVER GO SLOW.” “Never go slow. That is a wicked thing,” Sir James told them, adding: “It is ruinous to the one who goes slow and ruinous to the community in which he lives.” Sir James declared that his part in this great scheme had been a small one, being chiefly connected with the selection of the boys when he was High Commissioner. Both New Zealand and the Old Country owed a great deal to this scheme and in particular to gentlemen, like Messrs T. R. Lees, Edward Newman and others who had originated and werp carrying it on. The concluding remark of Sir James was an expression of his pride at being associated as a trustee with such a splendid institution and scheme. Sir James chatted with each of the boys and later made a comprehensive tour of the environs of the hostel, inspected the building itself, and was motored along some of the boundary roads to gain a better idea of the property and a .closer view of the stock. He expressed his keen satisfaction with all that he saw and was particularly interested in the fine cattle on the run. EARLY HISTORY OF MOVEMENT.

In welcoming Sir James Allen to Flock House Hon. Mr Newman mentioned that, when in 1918 he made an appeal to woolgrowers to set aside some money for the benefit of dependants of British sailors, the first to fend practical support to the suggestion were Sir James Allen, the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, and Messrs T. It. Lees and W. D. S. MacDonald. At that time there was a good deal of oppdsition to the suggestion, partly on- the’ ground that a woolgrowers’ surplus was a problematical contingency, and partly, it is said, because the farmers were being asked lor a “blank cheque.” Now, however, the scheme could not but be regarded, as an established success.

“There is more in the Flock House scheme than meets the eye,” said Mr Newman, adding that it afforded a practical demonstration of how to settle British people who came from town, country, and seaport. Already, proof was not lacking that the lads trained at Flock House (some of them had been out on farms for two years) were giving satisfaction and that before long tney would qualify to become competent settlers. „ “A gratifying feature,” added the speaker, “is that few or none of the boys desire to return to town life, they having developed a preference for the country.”

LEAD TO GOVERNMENT. The hope was expressed by Mr Newman that the Government would consider the advisability of establishing similar farm schemes for English public school boys and girls coming to the Dominion. It should easily be possible to secure Suitable land and the labour of the trainees could be used with advantage in its improvement, they being meanwhile taught farming methods, the handling of horses and all other matters which went to make the immigrant useful on the farm. He desired to acknowledge the excellent work done by the London selection committee acting for the Floqk House scheme and of which until recently Sir James Allen had been the head. There was no doubt at all that the boys and girls coming out here from Britain were going to be most valuable to the Dominion so that, from an Imperial as well as a New Zealand point of view, the effectiveness of the Flock House scheme should be regarded with satisfaction.

VISIT TO AWAPUNI HOSTEL. Yesterday afternoon Sir/.James was motored by Mr Lees to the girls’ hostel at Awapuni where he was received by Mr Newman and ’the matron (Miss Wallace). The distinguished visitor spoke to the trainees individually and collectively, giving them some sound advice as to their future in this country, exhorting them to “play the game” and show gratitude for what was being done for them. He also alluded to the fine part which the Y.W.C.A. was playing in the control of the girls’ scheme. Mrs H. E. Pacey (chairwoman) and members of the Y.W.C.A. committee were presented to Sir James, who took afternoon tea at the hostel fololwing a tour , of inspection.