FLOCK HOUSE BOYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 12

FLOCK HOUSE BOYS

FARM WORK TRAINING

NOT MANY APPLICANTS

RISK OF CLOSING DOWN

Mr. Edward Newman, chairman of trustees of Flock House Estate, writes: —Perhaps you will permit me to draw the attention of all interested in Flock House to the true position existing there. Wo are not being rushed with applicants. On Juno 20 there were 42 boys in training, of which 20 or more ore due to go out to employment in July and August, and very few boys in sight to take their places. Wo have accommodation and the staff to deal with 70 boys, and it requires about 60 boys to enable us to carry on without a financial loss. With great regret I have to state that it has become more and more oloar to the trustees that unless more boys are forthcoming Flock House will havo to close down as a farm training centre. This would be a national misfortune. because it would show that, even with free training under the best possible conditions, certain later good employment, and with all the help that the patriotic and returned soldiers' organisations can give, there is either no substantial desire among boys to go the land in New Zealand or the attractions of a city life overbalance that desire.

For quite a long time past the Flock House trustees have been endeavouring to come to an agreement with the New Zealand Government, and the Fairbridge (British) Child Emigration Society, so that the society might bo enabled to establish a Fairbridge Farm School in New Zealand, and take over for that purpose the liostel buildings and a sufficient area of land for that system of farm training. Although the scheme is approved by both parties wo have been discouraged by the delays and postponements which are "preventing a practical conclusion to the proposals. I think it is only right that the people of New Zealand should now know that tho trustees will be compelled to consider the position at an early date with a view to closing.down I lock House, unless tho board is assured of a, satisfactory arrangement with the Government and the Fairbridge Society.

I am unwilling to trespass on your space, but would like to express the opinion that if New Zealand wishes to increase its population with Britishbred people, it had better not delay too long, as the trend of its policy shows that in a few years the Mother Country may bo taking steps to restrain her people leaving England, even if it is to go to New Zealand.