FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 73, 25 February 1932, Page 2

FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

FUTURE OF INSTITUTION TRUSTEES’ OFFER ACCEPTED Fraught with the greatest importance for the future of Flock House as an institution of national service, a large conference was held at the homestead near Bulls yesterday afternoon. Sixty delegates attended to consider the promotion and maintenance of a suitable scheme for training the sons of New Zealand soldiers. The offer of the Flock House trustees to make available the institution, with its appointments, for this purpose was accepted,, and a central committee was appointed to discuss financial considerations with'the object of making a later report.

READY TO CONTINUE. The conference was the outcome of the offer by the Flock House trustees, now that the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund has achieved the purpose for' which it was established, to make available its organisation for New Zealand trainees, provided the cost of their maintenance could be financed. It was announced that a Government subsidy . would be forthcoming towards that object. Flock House has functioned for seven and a-half years in training war orphaned dependents of British seamen, but that great work is finished, and the organisation still exists, and for training New Zealand boys. Delegates were conveyed to the station at Bulls by bus from Palmerston North following their arrival at this centre. Thev were hospitably entertained at the homestead, and made an inspection prior to assembling in the meeting hall for the conference. General Sir Andrew Russell presided, associated with him at the head of the tablo being Mr E. Newman, C. (chairman of trustees), Mr T. R. Lees (managing-trustee) and Major .F. G. Hume (secretary of the fund). Delegates present were Mr E. Newman, Sir James Allen, Messrs T. R. : Lees, W. G. Rudd, G. L. Marshall, A. Sutherland, R. Beetham, J. Linklater, M.P. (trustee); Mr C. M. Luke 1 (War Funds Council and Wellington War Relief Association); Colonel Mit- ' chell (Taihape and Timaru Patriotic Associations); Messrs T. B. Kav (Auckland Patriotic Association); J. ' Harding (Hawke’s Bay Patriotic Association); D. McGregor (Wairarapa < Patriotic Association); T. A. Yeoman (Akitio Patriotic Association); W. James (Waverley Patriotic Association);. Hope Gibbons, R. M. Finlay- i son and H. C. Jenkins (WanganuiWaitotara Patriotic Association); H. D. McManaway, J. D. Perrett (Bulls : Patriotic Association); J. H. Stevens, 1 J. Permain (Manawatu Patriotic So- : ciety); Hon. W. Snodgrass (Nelson Patriotic Fund); Messrs A. Duncan (Marlborough Patriotic Association); 1 H. Holland, M.P.,. G. A. Hayden ■ (Canterbury Patriotic Association); ■ E. R. Grace (Otago and Southland Patriotic Associations); Sir Andrew Russell (headquarters R.S.A.); Messrs ■ A. Duncan (Wellington R.S.A.); S. A. Harrison (Hamilton R.S.A.); A. S. : Wylie (Te Awamutu R.S.A.); F. J. Redfern (Taumarunui R.S.A.V; E. J. Quinn (Tailiape R.S.A.); G. W. Benbow (Marton R.S.A.); W. James and , F. Johnstone (Waverley R.S.A.): G. . Souness and W. A. Churchill (Apiti R.S.A.); N. Harding (Feilding R.S.A.); W. G. Rutherfurd (Palmer- 1 ston North R.S.A.); G. C. Jones • (Gisborne R.S.A.); A. E. Prentice < (Wairarapa R.S.A.); Rev. F. T. Read (Christchurch R.S.A.); Messrs E. F. Willcox (Hokitika R.S.A.); G. A. Hayden (Temuka R.S.A.); W. F. Forrester (Timaru and Dunedin R.S.A.); R. M. Brasted, W. H. Tubman (Levm R.S.A.); P. W. Goldsmith, C. S. Keedwell, J. M. Richards and F. P. Walkley (Horowhenua Patriotic pVssociation). Apologies for absence were, received from Sir James Gunson (Auckland), Messrs L. 0. Tripp, M. Betbell, A. Macintosh, 0. S. Watkins (Flock House trustees), A. E, Mansford and A. Hopwood (Palmerston North). FLOCK HOUSE WORK. Extending a, cordial welcome to the delegates, Mr Newmcan stated that they were being provided with the opportunity of viewing first-hand the property and inquiring fully into the methods adopted, at l'lock House in 1 training the boys in farm work, although he did not claim that they were taught farming at Flock House. The primary objective of the institution was to equip them usefully with a knowledge of farming practice in order that they would merit fair wages for their services. They were indentured for three years and subsequently they learned the business of fanning. They also learned the value of thrift, that being exemplified by the fact that there was a balance of over £20,000 to the credit of their account. Outlining the objects of the conference, Mr Newman said he wished to disabuse the mind of . anyone who thought that the trustees had any other object than that of continuing the training of boys in farm work. The trustees considered that _ block House, with its staff and equipment, as well as its exceptional suitability as a training centre, should be retained as a matter of national interest and welfare for at least another year, when perhaps improved conditions would permit further Government assistance in keeping the institution in existence After referring to the relationship between the trustees and the boys, the chairman stated that Flock House was in every sense of the word a war memorial. He expressed the hope that it would continue to be regarded as such for soldiers’ sons. The trustees had assumed the responsibilities of fathers to the boys and had sought to create an atmosphere favourable to their physical development. That success had been achieved in that direction was in a large measure due to the principal (Colonel C. G. Powles), the managing-trustee (Mr T. R,. Lees), the matron, housemaster and the remainder of the staff. Mr Newman said he should be very sorry indeed to see the staff of Flock House disbanded. He hoped that the outcome of the conference would nullify any suggestion of that necessity. It had been convened as the trustees’ final effort to preserve Flock House . as a training farm for boys. There were said to be 15,000 boys out of work, but Flock House boys were always able to secure employment. It was earnestly hoped, stated Mr Newman, that some method would bo evolved whereby the sons of New Zealand soldiers would now replace the sons of British seamen as trainees at Flock House. The trustees had felt that they were something more than a board of guardians; something more than a board of an educational character. They had endeavoured in every way to help mould the boys ■ physically, morally and spiritually. : There was a general feeling through- i out New Zealand that Flock House i boys bad responded to the treatment 1 given them and were a distinct credit to the institution. Only by a scheme <

to assist the sons of returned soldiers could Flock House continue as a warmemorial of that nature. QUESTION OF FINANCE. Mr Lees stated that the suggestion for the holding of the conference had originated from the headquarters of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. It had now materialised following a number of conferences with that organisation and kindred bodies. Dealing with the question of finance, he said Flock House was now a household word. It stood for a national ideal, and had established a tradition beyond that of the ordinary institution. There had been built up a morale and tradition of good conduct, discipline and citizenshij) and it would be better to let the institution die than to lose that influence and environment. He urged delegates “not to spoil the ship for a hap’orth of tar.” Pleasure at the success achieved by Flock House was voiced with pride by Mr J. Linklater, M.P. He stated that tho unemployment situation among boys was a burning question with the Government. It was hoped that Flock House would continue to train boys as the farmers of the future. He had had tire honour of heading a deputation to the Prime Minister to request a subsidy for Flock House for tne training of sons of New Zealand soldiers, and was pleased to announce that the Government was prepared to grant a subsidy of £25 per annum per boy for 90 boys. That would be nail the cost, estimated at £SO. and would materially ease the financial burden upon those organisations interested in promoting the scheme. Sir James Allen said that many influential people in Britain looked upon the Flock House scheme as a most profitable undertaking. He gave an assurance that the financial offer of the Government was being made in all sincerity to promote the training of the boys as tlie basis to a sound rural community. Nothing better could be done for New Zealand especially at a time like this, than to offer every inducement to the boys to equip themselves with farming knowledge. Emphasis was laid upon the traditions and ideals of Flock House by Mr Brasted. national general secretary for the Y.M.C.A. Ho expressed the hope that facilities would be provided for the training to continue. Sir Andrew Russell' was elected chairman and on behalf of the visiting delegates of the R.S.A. and other organisations he returned thanks for the kindly reception accorded , him. The largo attendance, he said, was a testimony of appreciation of the work of Flock House. He said the R.S.A. was in full sympathy with the movement. All shared a growing anxiety for tho future of the young people, and the belief persisted in their minds that after all the land was one of the surest, if not the quickest ways, of attaining a happy independence. AFFIRMATION OF SCHEME. Moved by the chairman, the following resolution was submitted: — _ “That this conference is of opinion that it is desirable that the facilities for training boys for a farming career at Flock House should be extended to New Zealand boys, and hopes that arrangements can be made to take sons of ex-servicemen resident in New Zealand.” The chairman asked if the Flock House trustees were legally in a position to give effect to such a resolution, and Mr Newman said it was anticipate ed that no difficulty would occur in that respect. The trustees could be relied upon to extend every facility. The motion was seconded by Mr W. F. Forrester (Dunedin). The resolution was amended by the elimination of the words “to "New Zealand boys,” in order to include ■ also provision for the sons of ex-Imperial soldiers. The chairman pointed oiit that the resolution was merely to affirm tho desirability of the proposal. The motion was carried unanimously and the conference went into committee to discuss the financial obligations which would devolve upon the organisations supporting the scheme. Special reference was made, in a consideration of the cost of maintenance of New Zealand youths at Flock House, to (a) the minimum economical number to be in training, (b) period- of training, (c) modification *if any, of the allowances and privileges as at present granted to overseas boys. Sir Andrew Russell stated that it was obvious that special funds at present administered and applied to various purposes could not be earmarked for a Flock House scheme, which would have to be financed from some other source. The selection of the boys would be a matter of very serious moment. COMMITTEE APPOINTED. Following upon the discussion in committee, the following resolution, proposed by Mr S. A. Harrison (national secretary of the R.S.A.), and seconded by Mr Hope Gibbons (Wanganui) was carried unanimously: “That this.conference, agrees to accept the offer of the Flock House trustees and recommends that the allocation of boys and finance be oh a population basis; that to this end a central committee consisting of the War Funds Council (afle representative), Now Zealand Returned Soldiers) Association (three), Patriotio Associations (three) and the chairman be set np with provincial and district branches to (1) explore ways and means of providing finance, and arrange allocations in the event of any district not being able to provide either finance or boys, the allocation to be proportionate over the remainder of the Dominion; (2) report to the trustees of Flock House on or before March 31. Subsequently the central committee was elected as follows: —New Zealand War Funds Council, Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington); Now Zealand Returned Soldier? Association. Messrs G. A. Hayden (Christchurch), S. A. Harrison (Wellington) and A. T. Duncan (Wellington); War Relief and Patriotic Associations, Messrs H. Holland, M.P. (Christchurch), Hope Gibbons (Wanganui) and Colonel Mitchell (Wellington); chairman, Mr L. 0. H. Tripp (Wellington). Subsidiary matters were afterwards discussed in-committee.