SCHOOLBOYS MAKE GOOD ON FARMS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2313, 4 December 1925, Page 7

SCHOOLBOYS MAKE GOOD ON FARMS

Taranaki Scheme Proclaimed Success FARMERS WHO WANT TO PICK THE PLUMS [Per Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The immigration organisation set up "by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce presented an interim report upon the operations of tho Britishpublic schoolboy scheme, which it Inaugurated some time ag'O. Of the 115 boys so far brought out to Taranaki. all but four had made good. A proportion of the boys were not suited to farming and had boon found positions in town, and in these were succeeding. One of the greatest disablU ties contended against was the action of some farmers, who, unwilling themselves to take the risk involved in accepting and training a boy from Home, waited until they saw how the boys on the neighbouring farms progressed. If those were satisfactory, they then offered them higher wages lo go to them. This had an unsettling effect on the boys and it was not “playing the game.” The committee expressed itself opposed to rhe binding of boys for any period on farms, explaining" that experience had shown that a boy failing on one place would probably make good with another employer. It was inadvisable also to bind down a farmer to keep a boy that might prove unsuitable for a long period. By having an independent body like the committee to consult and appeal to, both were sufficiently safeguarded. The committee had recently been inspecting the boys and consulting the farmers training them and the results were excellent, the boys being happy in every case and tho farmers satisfied with their progress. In conclusion, the report states; “Boys are not being brought out to provide cheap labour for farmers; they are being brought out _ to strengthen the Dominion and relieve tho Old Country. Tho training of boys should be regarded as a National duty, as the farmers’ contribution towards Empire settlement and we are glad to say the great majority of farmers entrusted with the training ot boys take this view of their responsibilities.”