EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21318, 20 October 1932, Page 14

EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS

j COUNTRY WORK REFUSED I - KEEPING TO THE TOWNS " GRAVE DISAPPOINTMENT " M It is a grave disappointment to find such a deep-rooted objection in tire minds of many town boys to country life or even life at St. John's camp," said Mr. N. G. Gribble, president of the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee, at a meeting 7 of the executive of tlio committee yesterday. Sir Joseph Smith said that of 25 boys - ho had interviewed recently, only one I would even consider going to the camp, t and then only if he lost his present position as assistant to a fuel merchant. " It seems extraordinary that boys prefer' to starve in the city rather than, go to the to work," saicl Mr. W. F. O'Donnell, managing secretary of ,the Auckland Agricultural and Fastoral Association. He; added that thero was an inferiority complex in the country, which, although quite wrong, was none the less \ firmly rooted. In his opinion, .-the coin- !: mittee was concentrating too definitely ? on the St. John's camp scheme, instead of paying more attention to the Ruakura farm schome. It was doubtful whether the right type of boy was going to the St. John's camp. Mr. Gribble: The right type of boy will not go to the camp, nor to the country unless he is forced. » Mr. J. W. McGechie said the co-opera-tion of schools might well be sought in giving the boys the idea of going into the country, instead of continuing, on to secondary or technical schools. A few j words occasionally would probably have a considerable effect. Consideration of a memorandum prepared by the president, in particular » reference to placing the position before farmers, was deferred until next week. It ~was agreed to review the Ruakura •scheme every three months. The president reported that further donations amounting to £9B had been received in the past week. Owing to the funds not reaching the total hoped for, j. however, some of the activities contem- ' plated earlier could not be proceeded with. It was estimated that over £llOO would be spent on the St. John's camp within the next year. Another circular letter has been sent to boys placed in the country by the committee, giving them encouragement and asking for occasional reports on their progress. Th& resignation of Mr. H. S. Eastgate from tlie executive was accepted with regret. It was decided to send him a latter of thanks for his services.