BOYS ON THE LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 12

BOYS ON THE LAND

TAMAKI TRAINING FARM

CONTINUANCE OF SCHEME UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S GRANT The training farm for boys conducted by the Auckland Hoys' Employment Committee on the St. John's College estate, Tamaki, is to 1% kept open for another year, following a decision of the Unemployment Board to contribute the balance of the money required to finance the scheme. The secretary, Mr. N. G. Cribble, stated at a meeting of the committee yesterday that a programme limiting the expenditure to £'loo had been drawn up, and an appeal launched for funds. The committee had been able to raise £225 and the Unemployment Board had promised to contribute the balance.

A report presented on the operations of the farm stated that since its inception in August, 1932, a total of 424 boys had been trained. Very gratifying results had been achieved. The farm was established to prepare boys who otherwise might not be suitable for farm work, but at a recent meeting of the committee it was stated that owing to, financial and other difficulties it might be necessary to terminate operations. The St. John's College Trust Board had been unable, for financial reasons, to continue the arrangement under which it found certain money for the payment of the boys' wages.

The financial statement showed that receipts for the past month totalled £243 and expenditure £l3B. The committee now had a credit balance of £463. The appeal for funds had resulted in £132 being received during the month, while the Rotary Club had promised £6O toward the St. John's l'arm fund.

. SHORTAGE 07 LABOUR GOOD POSITIONS OFFERING "The standard of farm jobs and wages offered is higher than for a long time," said Mr. N. G. Gribble, secretary of the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee, at yesterday's meeting. "Nevertheless, we have the greatest difficulty in finding boys and we have 77 applications from farmers that have not been filled. Last week two farmers offered positions for inexperienced boys at 15s a week, and there were several others at 10s. Wages are rising as a result of the shortage of labour. Good homes are offered and the men are farmers with a sound practical knowledge."

"The position is probably accentuated at this time of the year, as the demand for boys is now very keen," said the chairman, Mr. J. W. McGechie. "Furthermore, boys who are at school are waiting to sit for examinations. When they leave at the end of the year there will probably be a surplus of boys available." During tho month 32 boys seeking town positions and 39 desiring employment in the country had been enrolled, while 45 had been placed in the town and 47 in the country.