APPEAL TO FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 6

APPEAL TO FARMERS

I BOYS LEAVING SCHOOL PROBLEM OF SINGLE UNEMPLOYED. A It is probable that when Parliament has deliberated on the relief uf unemployment problem the No. 5 Scheme will be very greatly curtailed and will not apply to single men. The \Va..ganui Unemployment Relief Committee has not slackened iu efforts to alleviate distress and the various women’s organistions are working still. A very important phase of the committee’s effort, however, is in connection with single unemployed. It is recognised that the burden on the municipality would be greatly lessened if many of those who have no dependents would accept work in the country for their keep. Year after year boys are leaving school with no prospect of obtaining work. It would bo infinitely better for them if they could be got out, into the country and established on farms. Even to work for their keep would be something these days. A committee, consisting of Messrs W. Craig and J. D. Crowley, has been set up to endeavour to find work in the country for single men, and yesterday Air David McFarlane was prevailed upon to act as secretary of this organisation, which is co-operating with Mrs Wickham, of the Women’s Divi-'V sion of the Farmers’ Union. Air McFarlane’s first aim will be to establish a list of fanners willing to employ mon in return for board and lodging. Be would be pleased to receive applications and men willing to accept work unde? these terms will be sent to the poisitions offering. If a scheme of this sort can be made to function it will serve a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it will alleviate the burden of unemployment, and secondly, it will assist in encouarging a desire to work on the In nd. Boys leaving school would be well advised, considering the nature of the time, to endeavour to avail themselves of any offers of positions on farms that might le made. “In my day a boy worked for five shillings a week,” said a well-known Wanganui farmer yesterday. “If they can be given positions to-day for their board and keep it will be equivalent to about 15s a week. Surely that is better than wandering about the streets.”