Farm School For British Boys

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 73, 27 March 1936, Page 6

Farm School For British Boys

Fairbridge Scheme Offered Dominion

PROVIDED SUFFICIENT ENCOURAGEMENT

The possibility of New Zealand possessing one of the celebrated Fairbridge farm schools is envisioned by Mr Gordon Green, secretary of the or-

ganisation, who is at present on a short visit to the Dominion.

Yesterday Mr Green had the privilege of being conducted over Flock House, which operates on linos similar to the Fairbridge scheme, and he was very much impressed with this very hue institution, to use his own description of the place. Last evening he explained to the “Times” the objectbchind the organisation of which he is secretary, and the reasons for his visit to this part of the world. He stated that in 1934, King Edward, who was then Prince of Wales, agreed to launch an appeal on behalf of Fairbridgo with the view of establishing three more farm schools on the model of the Kingsley Farm School in Western Australia. That school was named after the founder of the society. The first fruits of the appeal can already bo seen in the establishment of Prince of Wales Farm School on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where IUOO acres of iirst-class land near Oowiehan Lake, regarded as one of tlio most beautiful spots in Canada, hud been secured, The iirst party of 42 English boys and girls left Liverpool last September for this farm school, and that party had created a most favourable impression amongst Canadians who had seen them. Mr Green has to reach Vancouver Island as early as possible to begin the planning of its extension for parties of children from the United Kingdom due to arrive there next August aud October.

Mr Green arrived in Western Australia in mid-February and there inspected proposals for renewals and additions to the equipment of the farm, which has been in successful operation since 1912. Wince the war it has increased from a comparatively small establishment of 70 children to a complete colony of 450.

In Victoria ho conferred with the Northcolo trustees, the executive body in Australia operating a bequest of some £200,000 left by the late Lady Northeote in 1934 for child immigra tiou and settlement in Australia. They have decided to establish a farm school in Victoria on the linos of the Kingsley Farm School in Western Australia. This in itself is more than sufficient testimony as to the success of the scheme as founded by the late Kingsley Fairbridge and 49 other Rhodes scholars at Oxford in 1909.

Mr Green went on to Sydney and there saw the members of the Rhodes Fellowship and discussed with them a proposal for the establishment of a Fairbridge farm school in New r Soutn Wales. Those men are backed by some of the most influential citizens of NewSouth Wales and it is not at all improbable that a farm school will be m operation in the northern half of that, State, and again on the model of the Western Australian one.

‘‘Of course, I couldn’t leave Australia for Vancouver Island, where my chief work lies, without coming to New Zealand and seeing the trustees of your Flock House establishment,” added Mr Green. ‘‘l hope also to be able to see some members of your Government before leaving on the Niagara next Tuesday. There is room for at least one Fail-bridge farm school in every State or province within the Dominions of (ho Empire, and it is the duty of my couueii iu Loudon to take advantage of the most favourable opportunities that may present themselves in the immediate future, for us to establish the two new farm schools already pledged* to our public iu the United Kingdom. I would add, however, that all of us at Home feel very strongly that, given adequate encouragement, a Fairbridgo farm school should be established either iu the North or the South Island of New Zealand.”

Speaking more directly of Flock House, Mr Grecu commented that it was a glorious property, of which New Zealand, as far as ho could sec, had many.