WORK FOR YOUNG MANHOOD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18817, 4 March 1931, Page 12

WORK FOR YOUNG MANHOOD.

To the Editor of the “ Timaru Herald.” Sir, —For our boys drifting into manhood there is room on the land, for instance, there are thousands of acres of bush lands. What are they producing? Why not send our single men and boys out to these beautiful clean lands under competent bush-men; establish camps where they will get good nourishing food. Let them clear the lands, leaving a few acres in each place of beautiful nature as a reserve, ! where one can rest body and mind, as only nature can. The posts can be used for fencing, and other wood cut into lengths and sent into the towns for firing. It will be needed this winter. The mills have been through hundreds of acres of our forests. Roads could be formed and radio erected at each camp, where lectures on bush farming could be given, and our boys would always be in touch with civilisation. Encourage them by allowing them to ballot for the farms when cleared and fenced. They will work better when they know they are helping themselves. They will have interest in their work, and can save their money. “God helps those who help themselves.” Life for many is becoming listless; no interest, just drifting, and congregating together to talk over their troubles and where must it all lead —in some cases to crime and despair. This is still “God’s own country” if we have the right men to make it so. Winter is nearly on us. Let us be up and doing; no red tape; just hustle.—l am, etc., A MOTHER OF SONS.