HELPING THE BOYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 10

HELPING THE BOYS

STRONG COMMITTEE SET UP TRAINING FOR FARMING SMALL CAMP SCHEME APPROVED Plans were made at a representative meeting yesterday to take over and extend the work which has been carried on by the Farm and City Careers Bureau in the interests of the many unemployed youths in the Auckland district. In accordance with recommendations n?ado at an earlier meeting, additions were made to the committee yesterday to mako it fully representative. The president of the bureau, Mr. N. G. Cribble, presided. It was unanimously decided that the name of the committee be altered to the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee. The executive committee, with additions made at the meeting, now consists of Messrs. N. G. Gribblo, chairman, and E. E. Kitchener, vice-chairman (Rotary Club), the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, Archbishop Averill, Bishop Liston, Messrs. J. W. McGechio (Headmasters' Association), H. S. Eastgate and A. G. Lunn (Chamber of Commerce), H. R. Jenkins (City Council), T. Bloodworth (building trades), J. M. Melville (Overseas League), S. E. Bennett (Real Estato Institute), F. 11. Billington (Agricultural Education Committee), W. F. O'Donnell (Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association), Sir Joseph Smith (Rotary Club) and the Rev. Lawson Marsh (Council of Christian Congregations). It was stated that a representative each of the suburban and rural local authorities would bo added when the names were forwarded. Sectional committees were also appointed. Public Appeal Later It was stated that the committee estimated that it would requiro about £6OOO to carry on its work for the first 12 months and that when the various committees had surveyed their spheres of activity, steps would have to bo taken to make tho necessary appeal to tho public. Tho chairman announced that already £450 had been promised in the following sums:—Agricultural and Pastoral x\ssociation, £250; Archbishop Averill, £SO; Bishop Liston, £SO; Chamber of Commerce, £SO; and Ilotary Club, £2O. The sum offered by the Chamber of Commerce was subject to certain conditions, one of which was that at least £IOOO was raised by tho committee. In tho course of a general discussion it was stated that an effort would bo made to place suitable boys in various occupations and to send selected youths to tho country to work under approved farmers, the assistance of educational and other organisations being sought in order that the boys might rcceivo preliminary training where that was desirable. Area of Land Available Tho meeting decided to recommend to tho recreational and camps committee that it proceed with tho schema for a camp afc St. John's College as soon as possible. Under this schetno tho St. John s College Trust will place a large area of land at tho disposal of tho committee and will also help the scheme financially. It is proposed to handle the boys in batches of 30 at a time and to give them preliminary training to test their suitability for farm life. Thoy aro to bo paid Is a day of about six hours, their transport io and, from tho farm will bo arranged and they will bo given a good meal at midday. Tho committeo will requiro to provide tools and supervision. In answer to a question by Archbishop Averill, Mr. E. A. Ansell, M.l\, who is investigating tho unemployment of boys on behalf of tho Government, said he did not think, the Unemployment Board could subsidiso this work, lie knew, however, that tho question of helping tho worklcss boys was under consideration and ho thought it likely that once the boys were placed on farms, some form of assistance would bo provided. Archbishop Averill said it would help tho committeo considerably if it were widely known that farmers •wishing to employ boys, and boys willing to go to tlia country, could get in touch with tho committee through its chairman at Southern Cross Buildings in Auckland. Mr. .Ansell, who was present during part of the meeting, said the steps now being taken in Auckland to assist the unemployed boys was an object lesson to tho rest of New Zealand and he wished tho movement every success.

ACTIVITIES AT THAMES CLASSES IN AGRICULTURE [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN COIUtESrONDEN'X] THAMES, Friday A meeting was called by the Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, yesterday, to consider the position of unemployed boys in the to\vn. A committee consisting of Dr. J. B. Liggins, the Rev. Liversedge and Messrs. ,J. W. Danby, W. H. Hoult, J. H. Hodge, C. S. Donovan and T. McCarroll (secretary) was formed to help the boys to find work. A register was opened some weeks ago by the Rev. Liversedge, but the result was disappointing, only 19 boys register* Mr, Danby mentioned that the School of Mines Council had agreed to open Agricultural classes and also to prepare candidates for the School of Mines Scholarship. Ho considered that the age limit for mining prospectors under No. 5 scheme should bo altered to allow lads under 20 to go prospecting. _ The local officers of the Agricultural and Orchard departments agreed to assist in tho agriculture classes in their spare time. There have been several applications from farmers for boys, but sonic experience is wanted, farmers being unwilling to break in boys in dairying work.