LAND FOR YOUNG MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 13

LAND FOR YOUNG MEN.

POSITION IN DOMINION;.

LACK OF OPPORTUNITY.

BOYS BECOME DISHEARTENED J

The present lack of opportunity for young farm-worker to take up land on'his! own account in New Zealand, with tha result that he eventually becomes disheartened and migrates to the city, was discussed at a conference of representatives of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, the Salvation Army and the Church of England in Auckland this week. A report of the discussions was adopted at yesterday's meeting of tha league. *. •

It was stated that Staff-Captain Davies, of the Salvation Army, supported tha league's intentions, and considered that it> was an urgent necessity to provide means which would keep boys from staying in the cities. Boys going into the country saved money, but they became disappointed when they gravitated to the cities and lost it. The Salvation Army bad brought to New Zealand over 700 boys'for farm work, and 94 per cent, were still engaged in that work; it was moro than satisfied with the experiment.

Church of England Scheme.

Mr. J. E. Makgill, representing tha Church of England, said that the Church of England society has been in existence for three years. The boys brought out were from 15 to 18 years of age, and tWy; had an idea that they -were going to become farmers. Altogether it had brought, out over 400 boys/ and had had only 1 per cent, of failures. The New Zealand Association of English Public School Boys had brought out the same number of'lads as' the Salvation Army. He thought that it would be an excellent thing if the organisations mentioned came to an understanding as to the welfare aspect. The legislation now before the country was disappointing in the matter of juvenile settlement. Mr. J. Batty, as an old and experienced farmer, considered the scheme of cadet group settlement would be a success' if, the right man were selected to direct operations. Personally, he would be prepared to give advice as to the working. He considered that a block of 2000 acres might be worked without loss over. a period of five years, but adequate finance \vas essential. He considered £ls an acre a fair price to set down as "cost of bringing in" a farm. It was imperative to have money for the purchase of fertilisers, also a system of continued care and guidance over a period of years must be arranged. . , The chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, expressed pleasure that a frank discussion had taken place. The league was constantly endeavouring to interest public men in its work, but owing to the absence of the necessary legislation New Zealand was greatly handicapped.

Critical Period Reached.

In speaking to the report at yesterday'#, meeting of the league, Mr. 'Holdsworth said it was apparent that the settlement schemes which were in operation had reached a critical period. f The young men who bad been brought out had come to a point at which they were anxious to secure land of their own. Without tha facilities to do so they were inclined to give up their and accept employ* ment in the towns. Mr. Holdsworth also mentioned instances which had come to his notice of young Aucklanders going to Western Australia to take up land, later returning to marry Auckland girls who accompanied them back to their holdings. That happened because there was no settlement scheme whereby they could take tip land in their own country. Such a position was a serious one, because the Dominion could ill afford to lose that type of manhood and it was foolish to go to the expense of bringing people out. from England when the country was not retaining its own vouftg men, who, because of their own local knowledge, were even more valuable.

It was decided to forward ji copy of the conference's discussions, together with the comments made at tlni meeting, to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Lands; also to advise the Church of England Society, the Salvation Army and th« New Zealand Association of English Pub-' lie School Boys of what the league waD doing and to ask for their support.