BOYS’ FLOCK HOUSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 6, 6 December 1930, Page 9

BOYS’ FLOCK HOUSE

VISIT BY MINISTER. ADDRESS TO TRAINEES. INSPECTION OF STATION. The Boy’s Flock House station at Bulls received a visit to-day from the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore) who was greatly interested" and made a thorough inspection before proceeding to Wellington. Mr E. Newman, chairman of trustees of the Shcepowners’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund, met the viistor and extended to him a cordial welcome, while similar sentiments were expressed by Colonel C. G. Powles (principal of Flock House). Among those present were Mr J. Lmktater, M.P., Mr T. R. Dees (managing trustee) and Mr F. W. Ivey (social welfare 9lhcer for the scheme). When the Minister arrived the boys were drawn up on parade in their smart uniforms and he delivered a short address. “I am very pleased, to have had the opportunity of visiting the Boys’ Flock House,” declared the Minister. ‘•This movement has attracted attention in quite a number of countries, besides creating interest all over New Zealand.” Doubtless, added Mr Atmore, the boys had not been out long enough to know that it was proposed to alter the bias of education in New Zealand. The word “bias” had not a very nice sound, but they wanted to dispel the fallacy that anybody could be a farmer. To-day it took a semi-scientist to make a success on the land. He did not hesitate to state that Australia’s unfortunate position to-day was not entirely due to the slump there, but to the over-development of secondary industries. Only increased primary production could meet the heavy interest payments of the Commonwealth.

Referring to the example of Denmark, Mr Atmore stated that it had only a population of three and a-lralf million people, poor soil and a poor climate, yet it was the most prosperous country in the world, not excluding America, where unemployment liad been created by machinery displacing labour to the extent that, in cases where the output had increased 80 per cent, the labour employed had decreased 40 per cent. Denmark was not long out of serfdom before she speedily realised that her future lay along the lines of agricultural development. Lands were subdivided and she entered upon an era of prosperity brought about by intensive primary production. Mr Atmore said that the suggestion that anybody could be a farmer must be banished. Man had entered into conflict with the forces of nature, which he must subdue by scientific or entomological control, as m the case of insect pests. The Cawthron Institute, of which he was a trustee, had received £3OOO from the Empire Marketing Board to finance the study of mineral content in pastures, and the methods of - insect control. It had been picturesquely stated that primitive man had to fight mammoths and modern man microbes. New Zealand had to take care, added Mr Atmore, that her secondary industries were not over-developed. Times of depression were not unusual : they seemed to occur about every ten years. They were not a chronic feature* of New Zealand coU“ ditions and, taken over a term of ten years, the farmer did fairly well. New Zealanders must realise that jwhetbtar their chosen profession be that of the law, medicine or Church, or even a clerical occupation, their future was hound up with the success of the farmer. The Minister said that the Dominion welcomed the Flock House boys, who came of the same stock as New Zealanders, who were perhaps even more British •than the British themselves. There was no one in New Zealand but had the greatest administration for the Old Country and the manner in which it was struggling along under its burden of national debt. Concluding, Mr Atmore reiterated that he was glad to meet the boys. H wished them well, hoped that all would be well placed that they .would become true New Zealanders m the Britain of the South, and engage with all parts of the Empire in achieving the destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race. All had a common heritage. On behalf of the boys Mr Neuman returned thanks to the Minister, uho was accorded three hearty cheers Subsequently the Minister made, thorough inspection of the hoste , ing shown over the building by ' matron, Miss Sansom. Do ... _ toured the property, going to the milk^ ing sheds and viewing all tba ta.cm ties, with which he was very^ departure. Mr Atmore was entertained at morning areturned thanks to the matron and Colonel Powles, and stated that the visit had been intenselyjnterestmg He was pleased at the excellent man ner in which the property, was being cultivated.