“FLOUK HOUSE” FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1930, Page 8

“FLOUK HOUSE” FUNDS.

The full statement made by the chairman of tlie trustees of the “Flock House” funds, Mr. E. Newman, should remove any doubt as to their ultimate disposal. They were provided, as is genally known, by New Zealand sheepowners as a tribute to the skill and daring of British seamen during the war, and were to be applied to training as settlers in this country sons and daughters of sailors who lost tlheir lives during the conflict, and to give assistance to seamen who were suffering from war injuries. Tilie Flock House estate was purchased as a training establishment, and excellent results have been obtained among the youths and girls who have passed through the institution. With the passing of tihe years it was obvious that the supply of candidates for admission to Flock House must diininish, and in his last annual report Mr. Newman referred to this. He suggested that the organisation centred in Flock House was too useful to be scrapped and that as the Government had announced a policy of increased settlement on the land it might be worth while continuing a training sphool there for New Zealand boys and girls. This has led to the impression that Fleck House funds might be diverted to uses other than those originally laid down by the subscribers. Mr. Newman now makes it clear that nothing of the sort is proposed. If Flock House training, is to be utilised for a different section of the community it must be financed from new sources also. The present trustees have still the duty of assisting sailors injiired during the war and are doing so as far as funds will' permit. Since the initiation of the scheme £58,557 has been expended in cash grants to beneficiaries on account of war injuries and sickness, so that it is evident the funds have proved a very valuable aid to deserving men. It is equally obvious that the need for such assistance is likely to remain for several years yet, and subscribers to the fund will ■ have tihe assurance that their wishes are being fully recognised. That part of the Flock House scheme is entirely satisfactory, but what many would like to know is the Ministry’s attitude towards the suggestion to utilise the training school for New Zealand boys and girls. Is it receiving consideration and what are the prospects of its acceptance? The training has proved a success w r ith material rather less promising than could be obtained here, and unless there are good reasons it seems a pity that so well organised an undertaking should be allowed’to pass away.