TO TRAIN FARMERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 6

TO TRAIN FARMERS

A NEW SALVATION AKMY VENTURE. The Salvation Army's numerous activities in New Zealand have now been added to by the establishment of a Boys' Training Farm in the Waikato. This important step has been made possible by the gift of a lease (with right of purchase) of 2060' acres of good land between Cambridge and Rotorua by Messrs George Alexander and Ewen M'Gregor, both of whom have successfully farmed similar land in the Upper Waikato. The land has already been purchased outright, and Commandant Charles Fitness has been appointed manager. In giving particulars of the new scheme to a reporter, Commissioner H. C. Hodder stated that the Army was embarking on a new departure altogether. Owing to the conditions brought about by the war, it rested with every nation-to heed the cry, " Back to the "Band," and to train 'as farmers those boys who were too young to become soldiers. The authorities had seen in the gift the chance they wanted, and as soon as possible the land will be converted into a general training farm for boys, the sons of fallen soldiers preferred, | The idea is to secure such boys and others, such as those from the orphanages, between the ages.of 14 and 18, and inculcate in them a love of the land, while giving them a sound training m -farm life. It is the intention to cover all branchesagricultural, pastoral, dairying, and poul-try-raising—and in addition to give boys a smattering of allied industries, such as blacksmithing, saddlery, carpentry, and the like—a thorough course extending over about four years. The majority of those turned out would be good farm labourers, but others, who showed a particular aptitude, would complete the course more or less finished farmers, and perhaps the Army wpuld heln them to start on their own. Commissioner Hodder and Brigadier Bray (director of the Army's social work) have left to inspect the newly-aequira' oroperty.