CHANGED CONTROL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 8

CHANGED CONTROL.

FLOCK HOUSE STATION. ASSURANCE FROM GOVERNMENT. "The Government fully appreciates the foundation laid by the trustees of the Seamen’s Fund, and is satisfied that organisations like Flock House, run on the soundest lines, should be an integral part of the educational system of the Dominion, so that every suitable boy who desires to make a living on the land shall have an opportunity of receiving a thorough grounding in practical and theoretical farm practice before entering upon employment.” This statement was made by Mr T. R. Lees, managing-trustee for the Flock House Fund, in an address to the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch ■Club, to-day, on the activities being carried out by the fund, and , which are entering a new phase owing to the acquisition by the Government of the institution near Bulls. “We are assured,” Mr Lees added, “that it is the Government’s intention to carry on the system of training at Flock House in a similar manner to that which has been so successful under the trustees, hut with an extension in certain directions which may prove wise. The same requirements regarding medical fitness, personal character and desire for a farming career will be insisted upon, and it is sincerely hoped to maintain the same high standard of conduct, and in particular the same close personal and human contact between those responsible and the tiainees, both while at Flock House and Vi subsequent employment. “We are also assured that the fullest use will be'made of the officers of the Departments of Agriculture and Education, so that the theoretical training can be extended so far as is possible in the time free from practical work. When boys go out to employment I hope that tlie Government will see its way to an extension in this direction on which I am particularly keen, to carry the very best and most up-to-date methods ot farming to the farm employee by means of correspondence schools. Tliere have been great advances in knowledge of tbe best methods of fanning, particularly grassland fanning, during the last lew years, and T would like to see eveiy keen 'farm employee given the opportunity to acquire this knowledge without having to leave his job and enter a college to do so. Some of course, content to plod along in the same old way, would not take the trouble, but very many would jump at the opportunity if the knowledge was, carried to them in a bright, clear and informative way. , , “Further, I hold strongly the opinion that every young mail who takes up a farming career should feel perfectly assured that, if he makes Imnself thoroughly competent, proves himself trustworthy and thrifty, and lias the grit and ambition to save a reasonable amount from his wages, lie will be given an opportunity, and financial assistance in proportion to his O'vii efforts, to start farming for himself. “Thereby the whole scheme is rounded off; the lad is given initial training to rnako him employable, he goes through three years’ apprenticeship and another few years as a fully corn petent farm assistant, during which time he keeps himself abreast of the most up-to-date methods of farming, and ahead of each one is the sure op portunity, if he does his share, of finally being able to start farming successfully on his own account. Here again, we have laid the foundation and have ’proved that such young men are well worth helping, and will become among the soundest farmers in the Dominion. . ■ . “A private charitable organisation like ours is limited in this direction to its finance and its constitution, but I feel quite certain, from our converse tions with the Ministers of the Crown, that the Government is in full sympathy with all sides of our operations and endeavours, and, if at all possible, all young New Zealand's who are keen for a farming career and devote themselves earnestly to fitting themselves, will be given a full opportunity. Opportunity, and a little assistance at the right moment, is all that the best man I asks for from life.” I