BOYS AS IMMIGRANTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 15

BOYS AS IMMIGRANTS

THE “LITTLE BROTHERS.’’

RESULTS IN AUSTRALIA,

SYDNEY, Jan. 12

One of the few_ bright and active phases of migration in New South Wales is the movement' under which boys, known as Little Brothers, are nominated as migrants by citizens, known as Big Brothers, who express their preparedness to watch over them and act as guide, philosopher and friend to them until they reach young manhood So far, about 400 Little Brothers have reached New South Wales, and from now on there will be a regular stream of them at the rate of 20 a month, so long as Big Brothers cam be found for each of them. A questionnaire distributed among the boys, while it has rovealed in most cases a cheery note of optimism and determination to succeed, has brought here and there a sad little note of despair, largely because of, the unreasonableness no doubt of isolated employers. One Little Brother, when asked what he thought of things, did not mince matters. Ho ’was brief and to the point. This was his comment“ Mixed farming, hard work, working all the hours God sends, fed up, clearing out next week.’ Another Little Brother became “fed up’’ at shearing time. “But we have finished now,” he added cheerfully. The boys generally, however, are smiling and doing well. Many of them have savings bank accounts ranging up to £2OO. One youth, who is market gardening, lias saved £155, and thinks so much of his life that he has insured it for £SOO.

One of the Big Brothers, a Federal Minister, tells the romantic story of one Little Brother who was luckily befriended by a wealthy pastoralist, and who finished up by marrying the latter’s daughter.