BOYS FOR FARM WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 8

BOYS FOR FARM WORK.

LABOUR MEN COMPLAIN. "JUST IMPORTED CONTRACT WORKERS." MINISTER'S EXPLANATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. -OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The Government's scheme of introducing rural boys to the Dominion has been assailsd here by certain Labour men, who designate the introduction of the boys as tantamount to the importation of contract labour. To a Wellington Evening Post represervative to-day, the Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister in Charge of the Department of Immigration, explained the position clearly.

'For many years the Government of New Zealand has assisted the passages 01 two classes of immigrants, namely, farm labourers and domestic servants," he %a.d. " The assisted immigrants pay a portion of the passage money and the Government the balance. Other colonial Governments have, also, for years past arranged by various methods for the immigration of boys, so that the new colonist may stait in the new country at an early age. It is manifest that two difficulties arise in such cases. First, provision must be made for a home for the boy when he arrives, and continuous work secured for him immediately; secondly, the whole passage money must be provided and an arrangement made for the return of a due proportion by the boy. The Ward Government made arrangements under which 50 town boys, under Mr. Sedgwick's scheme, were brought to New Zealand, and that Government made arrangements under which those boys went direct to fanners with a minimum wage of 5s per week for the first year, the wages, except pocket money, being kept back in order to make the refund of the moneys advanced for the passage and other expenses. The present Government has made arrangements for the introduction of boys from the rural districts with experience of farm work, and has arranged with farmers for their immediate employment, the farmer advancing a considerable part of the passage money, to be refunded to him out of the wages. The present Government, however, specified a minimum wage for the first year of 7s 6d per week. Under the agreement signed by the boys, they are only bound to go to the home and work provided for them for one year, the wage having been arranged in advance, and to be in no case less than 7s 6d per week for the first year. The farmers' arrangements involve an obligation by the farmer to continue to employ the boy for at least three years, at an increasing minimum wage for the second anti third years, so that, whatever the age of the boy may be, he is secured in a home and in employment for at least three years, if he behaves himself. The farmer is also bound to supply the boy with clothing, as well, as food.

"It is nonsense to talk of contract labour. The object of the Government is that the boys shall have a secure home and work on arrival. The boy's agreement to continue his employment for a year is necessary to secure the refund to the farmer and to the Government of the moneys advanced to bring the boy to New Zealand. It is desirable to encourage the immigration to New Zealand of boys with some experience in farm work, not only in the interests of New Zealand, but in the interests of the boys themselves, and the Government intends to continue that desirable work so long as assisted passages are granted to farm labourers. It is not only desirable, but necessary, in the conduct of that work, that agreements should be ipade with farmers, ensuring comfortable homes, clothing and food for the boys immediately on their arrival."