BOYS ON FARMS

Southland Times, Issue 21771, 28 July 1932, Page 7

BOYS ON FARMS

EXEMPTION OF SCHEME. M.P.’S INVESTIGATION. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, July 27. The preliminary results of their investigations on behalf of the Government into the problem of unemployment among youths were reviewed by Messrs A. E. Ansell and S. G. Smith, M.P.’s.

They said they had everywhere encountered a keen desire for the formation of district committees, and a willingness to follow any lead given. In Christchurch and Dunedin effective organizations existed. The scheme of placing boys on farms had proved more popular in Canterbury than anywhere else, and 54 boys had been ■placed on farms in five months. In Dunedin 100 boys had stated their willingness for farm work. In Invercargill 45 boys had been placed and in Wellington 75 boys had been placed. In Gisborne 50 had been placed, and in New Plymouth, as a temporary expedient, a co-operative kindling wood enterprise and a message bureau had been established. The members expressed the opinion that with the incentive they were endeavouring to provide, mainly in regard to a limited course of scientific agricultural education, the farm work scheme was likely to be considerably extended within the near future. Evidence collected so far would show that the city youth could be rapidly turned into a successful help on a farm. The idea was that for two months in the dead season of the year, boys from farms should receive training at an agricultural college. Already Lincoln College was going to take 50 such boys. The members said that when they asked city employers to engage more boys, though willing, the employers were hampered by the Apprentice Act, the Factories Act and the Shops and Offices Act, and that these laws should be modified. The members were anxious to obtain concrete evidence for and against this proposal. Steps were being taken to explore the possibility of creating work suitable for youths, including manufacturing such articles as school rulers, of which 8000 were used weekly. The committee in Christchurch was inquiring into the possible extension of this idea. So far there had been a most satisfactory response by the public to the members’ efforts.