THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 6

THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

The success of the movement; organised by Mr. T. Sedgwick, for the immigration of British lads desirous of taking up farming life in New Zealand, is now so completely demonstrated that there is positively no excuse for any further hesitation, on the part of the Government, in granting assisted passages to another party. The system adopted was an admirable one, comprising careful selection in London, sympathetic superintendence on the voyage and an apprenticeship to farming for three years, with the Secretary for Labour as guardian of the lads. The results have been all that could be desired. Fifty of these English town lads, from 16 to 19 years of age, who, though industrious and hard-working when employment was available, had few opportunities and no hopeful prospects, have been placed on New Zealand farms and with a solitary exception are doing well. They are being fairly paid and well treated ; the Labour Department watches over their interests, and acts as trustee of their savings. At 21 the average lad will be a competent agriculturist, and will find about £100 to his credit in the Post Office Savings Bank. These boys have not drifted into the towns, as was feared by the labour unions, but 'on the other hand they have, by their work, increased the business of the towns. England has gained by the advantageous settlement of deserving sons for whom she had' no room. New Zealand has gained by the acquisition of young men, most of whom in ten years' time may be prosperous settlers, having learned how to farm. Our farmers have obtained labour for which they have been quite ready to pay good wages. The lads themselves have been so helped that it is difficult to express what all who understand the depressing London conditions from which they come will realise, how much they owe to Mr. Sedgwick. If New Zealand coilld secure a thousand of these boys it would be a national benefit, for it is very evident, from the chorus of approval where the lads have found homes, that Mr. Sedgwick has the gift of selection, and that the selected London lad, common belief to the contrary notwithstanding, does make a most desirable immigrant. It is little short of criminal to offer a bigoted opposition to such a scheme as this, which injures nobody, advantages all and strengthens New Zealand as much as it benefits the immigrant. *