JUNIOR IMMIGRATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18917, 21 January 1924, Page 4

JUNIOR IMMIGRATION

FARMERS’ UNION PROPOSAL, 1 THE SCHEME OUTLINED. 4 Much interest is being aroused locally v in the proposal recently made by tho Farmers’ Union to bring from the Old Country some 100 boys, ranging in age from 15 to 17 years, and apprentice them to farmers in the Dominion. . The scheme is basetj upon that in operation at the present time in South Australia—known as the “Barwell Scheme.” The main points in the scheme are:— (a) Minimum wage has been fixed at rates varying with the age of the bov, viz.: 15 to 16-10/- to 17/6; 16 to 17— 12/6 to 20/-; 17 to 18-15/- to 22/6. (b) Each boy is paid 4/- a week pocket money and the remainder of his earnings is paid by the employer to the Immigration Department and placed to the lad’s credit until he becomes 21. Interest is allowed at 41 per cent. The Commissioner of Crown Lands is empowered by Acts of Parliament and regulations thereunder to apprentice the lads to farmers from one to three years. The agreement provides that an employer shall, with cue written consent of the Commissioner, have the right at any time to dismiss a boy in the event of his proving guilty of misconduct, or for any other reason which appears good and sufficient to che Minister. On the other hand, should an employer fail to abide by the previsions of the agreement, the Minister may ter* mi Date it and withdraw the boy. The advantages of the scheme seem to be1. —Every boy will be comparatively young, with a long expectancy of life. Tho majority will go direct to the country and thus tend to adjust tho balance between city and country. 2. Boys thus imported will be provided with accommodation by their cm?, ployers and will not accentuate any housing difficulties. 3 In a few years, South Australia will have 6,000 young men trained in agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and each will be in possession of a fair bank balance. The boys are arriving in batches of 50. and 60 at approximately monthly intervals; there is the closest co-opera-tion between the churches, Y.M.C.8., and the Government, to help these boyt, and in some districts, local commit* ecs have already been formed to look after the boys who arc to become South Australians. Briefly, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union intends putting the scheme inta operation in New’ Zealand by adopting the following procedure: 1. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union would decide upon the minimum wage and notify the Minister. 2. The High Commissioner would bo notified on this and asked to make the conditions known to intending immigrants. 3. The Provincial Secretaries throughout New Zealand will find out the farmers willing to engage a boy and send names and addresses to Dominion Headquarters. The religion of the boy desired must also be stated. 4. The selection of the boys in England to be strict, and carried out by one cognisant of New Zealand customs and requirements. All boys eligible for ' selection to be medically fit and exam- j [ined by a reputable officer appointed by the High Commissioner. 5. On arrival in New Zealand, the boys will bo taken care of by the Immigration Department, which has the machinery necessary for quick despatch to employers. 6. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union to receive annual reports from each boy’s employer and forward them to the Minister. Farmers desiring to nominate one or more of these immigrants should communicate with the Provincial Secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Wanganui as early as possible.