The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1934. A FLOCK HOUSE SUCCESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 104, 4 May 1934, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1934. A FLOCK HOUSE SUCCESS

CINCE the foundation of Flock House there has not been much to show for the work. This does not mean that the work done has been of no avail, but it has not been capable of expressing itself in concrete achievement. The boys have been given a training in. farm work, and they have been found positions on the land and they have, in general, become useful citizens who have maintained the reeord of the Flock House for turning out lads of character. The officials of Flock House have, of course, been handicapped up to now by the time factor. Lads could not be expected to produce results in a few months, or even a few years after completing their training. Now, however, the time factor is working in their favour, and tangible results are now revealing themselves. It must be remembered that Flock House boys are recruited from those lads who have no money, no friends in New Zealand when they come here, and they never have any influence to aid them in their advancement in life. They have to depend upon their own steadfastness of character and their ability and willingness to work hard. These youngsters start, the race of life from the scratch line. It is to the credit of the scratch men in the race of life, that they are already winning through the field, and some are already well placed. The purchase of 2316 acres of improved land by a group of Flock Housers with their own savings, and with assistance from the trustees, is a splendid achievement, which shows clearly that young men of character can still make their way in this Dominion. It is evidence that the best asset any man can possess is his own character. These youngsters have denied themselves pleasures, they have gone without many of the good things of life in order that they shall acquire a little capital, and now they are going to make another step forward and start a group settlement of their own. The whole of the Dominion will welcome any success that attends their future efforts, for those efforts will act as a stimulus to others to engage in thrift for the purpose of furthering their own interests, and it will provide the country with an example to follow, namely to encourage those who are willing to help themselves. There is much talk of group settlement and the placing of the unemployed on the land. There is nothing to be said against such a policy provided the right men are selected for settlement. This much can be said, however, that the man who has enough 'character to save some capital for himself is the more likely to be the proper sort of settler who will make good in any land-settlement scheme. When a man puts something of his own into a scheme, he is more ambitious to preserve and to improve his holding than is he who is to benefit despite the fact that he has nothing of his own at stake. The action of the Flock House trustees in co-operating with the ex-Flock Housers is to be wholly commended, and it is to be hoped that they will have as much satisfaction arising out of this fresh effort as they have already experienced from the good work that they have already accomplished.