FARM SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 11

FARM SCHOOLS

FAIRBRIDGE SCHEME FOR NEW ZEALAND EXPLANATION BY SECRETARY (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 25th March. Plans for the establishment in New Zealand of a Fairbridge Farm School on, similar lines to those now in operation in Western Australia and Canada are being considered by the Child Emigration Society, which aims at assisting English children, either orphans or of very poor parents, who, while being physically fit, would yet stand very little chance in succeeding in a crowded city without advantages of other children. It has been offered an excellent property for its purpose in the North Island at advantageous terms. The secretary of this organisation, Mr Gordon Green, arrived from Sydney by the Wanganella and stated that he" hoped to confer with members of the Government about the Fairbridge scheme. He will spend a week in the Dominion and intends to interview the Flock House trustees and other people interested in Empire settlement, especially as it relates to children. The original Fairbridge Farm School was founded in Western Australia, by the late Kingsley Fairbridge in 1912. He had a hard struggle to keep alive his experiment during the years of the Great War, but in 1922 he was able to convince the Commonwealth and the West Australian Governments that his scheme not only was a benefit to the children whom he rescued hut was nn asset to Australia. As a result both Governments agreed to make him grants. King Edward is one of the most enthsuiastic supporters of the Fairbridge scheme, and two years ago inaugurated an appeal for £IOO,OOO that three new farm schools on the model of tlie original in Western Australia might be established. Toward this object he contributed a sum of £IOOO. The fund readied £33,000 only two months after the appeal, and by the end of the year a second farm school was established on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and named after His Majesty, who was then Prince of Wales.

“Once you deal witli children whose only handicap in life is poverty you forget about everything else,” said MiGreen. “Leave statesmen to talk of Empire settlement and I think we will both arrive at the same object together.” Mr Green explained that through the Fairbridge scheme children were rescued from misery and clangers of deterioration. They were transferred to the Dominions, reared on a farm in healthy and happy conditions, and were guaranteed a livelihood.