YOUTH AND THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19265, 2 March 1926, Page 11

YOUTH AND THE LAND.

NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITIES. STRUGGLE FOR TOWN JOBS. DANGEROUS DRIFT CONTINUES. FATAL LURE OF THE CITIES. That pernicious phrase "walking off the farm " has for so long been on the lips of speculators who failed to reap where they did not sow, and of pessimists who have a bias for failure, that a farming career for their sons is too rarely considered seriously by parents either in city or country. It is time that many people gave more intelligent consideration to tho question and for city men to reverse the pessimistic slogan of the slump period and realise that tho land offers a better future for young men Jlian does the city. The position to-day is that, owing to inaction cm tho part of the State in re-., gard to land settlement, inaction in a measure due to the vain hope of holders of areas suitable for subdivision' still to obtain tho inflated values of the boom period, and owing to the general belief of men who aro financially able to place their own sons on the land that farming offers poor prospects, primary production is not increasing at a rate to justify town expansion that has been witnessed in recent, years.

Town Employment's Guarantee, The point where this touches every one of the crowd of youths who annually struggle to obtain a footing upon the ladder leading to a town career is that stagnatfou in primary production means stagnation in the towns. In this country, with its small secondary industry and its dependence upon oversea countries for most of its needs, the prosperity of the urban population is in almost exact proportion to the prospeiity of the producers.

The farmer relies upon heat and moisture for the successful employment of his brains and energy—and then he must be able to sell his products profitably; the town-dweller, whether he be a lawyer or a merchant or a salesman or a bricklayer, must rely upon the farmers" success from the moment the seeds sprout and tbo grass begins to grow until 'the produce is safely marketed. Let disaster overtake the farming community as it did when the price of produce slumped and the towns feel the pinch immediately. Let a slump be prolonged—and the present generation has not experienced such a calamity—the stagnation of the cities will give a very poor outlook for everyone. The real security behind all business and city property is the production of the countryside, end its best form of guarantee would be annually-swelling production, because then adverse fluctuations in prices would be less felt nationally. A Limit to Absorption, Yet year after year the towns and cities are being asked to absorb not only their own youths, but also a very large number of country-bred youths. An unthinking childlike faith appears to breed the idea that* a start in almost any city occupation must lead on to permanent fortune. Thus the main industry of the country is losing its man-power, while every business depending upon the development of that industry is being rushed. It is a grave matter, but the

gravity is not being emphasised in a manner to influence the mind of youth; rather the influence of the home circle usually is in favour of the cuff and collar " clean " job, and if it can lead to the social glamour pertaining to a " profession " so much the better.

Obviously the professions must bo recruited and doubtless the youth of Auckland would have better opportunity in them if dental and medical schools were more conveniently situated. As it is Jaw is simply overwhelmed with recruits. The number of practising solicitors in the Auckland district last year was 491, and, during the period, 23 more were admitted te- the Bar. In consequence there have been fully-qualified men out of employment and others " gaining experience*" for a nominal salary. " Top-Heavy " Towns.

As in law, there are surplus young men struggling to gain a place in business life. A top-heavy " city population has developed the' evil—that and the stigma of the slump in farming. Many fathers who could start their sons on the land under favourable auspices, after they had gained some experience, have become so convinced of the unprofitableness of farming that they do nothing to point out the dangers attending city careers. A point that should be emphasised is that land can be bought to-day at prices based on productive value. Legal and land authorities consulted on the matter affirm that anyone with a fair amount of cash to invest can buy land to-day on advantageous terms. The process of the deflation of land values has been fairly rapid, particularly since the moratorium ended.

It was during the period when mortgagees were meeting mortgagors in connection with adjusting mortgages that lawyers and others, whose assistance was required, obtained a very clear insight into the question of land production, and, although numbers of farmers are still holding on, hoping against hope that something to their advantage will turn up, they say that a man, with a thousand or two Knd the resources necessary to restore neglected land to its full productive capacity, may buy well. The Glamour of the City.

It is probable that many who might be offered the chance of starting on a farming career without the burden that must be carried by the ordinary settler would reject it because _it would mean losing the gaiety of city life; but the present trend of things has just to continue for a few more years to convince them through their pockets that city gaiety has been dearly purchased.

The competition for the " plum " jobs fs becoming keener and keener and disappointment lies ahead of many who might look forward to prosperity if they would apply themselves to the land and deny themselves the amusement the city offers. Actually, conhtry life has lost its former rigours and hardships. Electricity, machinery and the motor have ameliorated rural conditions of life to a very great extent, and it ought not to require the painful lesson of extreme overcompetition in the towns to convince young men of the advantages of a farming life.