BOYS ON THE LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 15

BOYS ON THE LAND

WIDER TRAINING SCHEME PROPRIETORSHIP THE AIM AUCKLAND COMMITTEE'S PLAN A scheme of rural training to meet the unemployment situation among lads was outlined in a report submitted to a meeting of tho Auckland Boys' Employment Committee yesterday. The sub-committee which drew up the report included Mr. N. G. Gribble, chairman, Sir Joseph Smith, Captain F. 11. Billington and Mr. 11. S. Eastgate. "The difficulty in securing boys cannot be dissociated from the general disinclination toward rural pursuits and is part of the general apathy of the public toward the land in New Zealand," tho report states. The function of the committee should be to place tho right boy with the right farmer-employer with as little delay ns possible, and in this connection the St. John's rural training camp was recognised as a necessary acquirement for boys who should pass through some intermediate step before going to distant farmers. The period so spent should be as brief as possible, but the development of St. John's into a comprehensive farm school on approved lines might be of invaluable assistance. "Generally, the sub-committee is of the opinion that the usefulness of St. John's is being mijitated against by the type of lad made available," the report states. "The reports show that fully half of these appear to havo no urge toward the land, and difficulties met with among the parents and in other ways have prevented the maximum number of boys being available for the land.

"It is considered imperative that all steps taken should bo along the lines of a clearly-defined programme extending over a considerable period, and that in cases other than those where suitable lads can be placed at once with suitable employers, the procedure to be followed should be: — (a) A short selective period at St. John's camp; (b) Ruakura for a further approved period in suitable cases, or employment with suitable farmers; and (c) the establishment of cadet group settlement centres, having .as their aim individualised holdings or collective farming co-operative establishments. It is apparent that to give effect to sub-clause (c) the maximum of finance will be necessary, and immediato effort should be made to arrivo at an understanding and, if possible, establish a mutually satisfactory basis so that there may be 110 dissipation of financial resources.

"In the opinion of the sub-committoc it would be possible for the establishment already available at St. John's to bo extended to a tremendous degree, and if the essential understanding could be arrived at with the church authorities it seems definite that an establishment of immeasurable value to the city of Auckland could be set up where hundreds of boys could through tlie year obtain, in conjunction with essential training at school, a valuable grounding which would make them more valuable to prospective country employers and to the country as a whole." Thp, sub-committee emphasises that one of the greatest essentials is to reassure parents "by giving boys a chance by a soundly-devised scheme extending throughout the training and establishment period to the possibility of proprietorship." It was decided to defer consideration of the report until a special meeting on Tuesday evening, but in the meantime to bring before primary and secondary school headmasteVs the vacancies the committee had for suitable boys.

IMPROVEMENT IN TREATMENT

INFLUENCE OF COMMITTEE

"As a result of this committee's work, there seems to be no doubt that the treatment of boys by farmers has improved very greatly," said Mr. N. G. Gribblo at a meeting of the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee yesterday. The committee had behind it the Churches, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Farmers' Union and other bodies, and its influence was undoubtedly considerable in this respect. He quoted from a farmer's letter to show the kindliness with which farmers were trying to help the boys, in the face of many difficulties. The need for packing cases for the boys' "kindling wood depot" was mentioned. At the depot the boys make seedling boxes, small bird cages and other articles, and chop kindling wood from what is left.

Mr. Cribble reported that the Hospital Board, in all cases where relief for boys between 15 and 19 was sought, made sure that the lad had been enrolled with the committee and that no work had been available, before granting relief.