Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 274, 18 November 1937, Page 12

Public Opinion

YOUTH AFFORESTATION CAMP

Sir, —I noticed with surprise and interest in a recent issue of your paper that Mr. Gibson Hughes, president oi the Tourist and Development League, had intimated to a reporter that there were vacancies for boys at the Youth Camp at Kaitoke and in the same issue I note that there were no less than twelve inquiries for boys and young men throughout the district.

Does this mean, Sir, that the league propose to enter into competition with the legitimate employers of this class of labour and thus accelerate the already difficult position which farmers find themselves placed in to procure and keep youths on farms? Is this, as I understand it, an invitation to boys that if they become tired of their job, and quite a number of them will, there is a home for them at the camp at 10s per week and keep, or in other words a form of cheap advertisement that there are vacancies on the sustenance roll, as I understand these boys and men are paid and kept at the camp out of employment money ? Is this, too, to be a repetition of last year’s summer operations at the camp, where men and boys were allowed to come and remain to fill in their time as best they could without any definite programme of work supplied? If so, the sooner it is corrected the better.

About twelve months ago many of the bondholders, and those who had been actively ir.'.crested in the commencement of the camp, became alarmed at the position into which the scheme was drifting. Instead of, as intended, to give useful employment to unemployed boys of the city and district it was felt that the camp was fast developing into a holiday resort or haven of rest for those who had become tired of their job and who were allowed to return to camp and leave their employers to do the work themselves. They felt, too, that there was a lack of supervision in this respect; also a lack of programme of work. A meeting of bondholders was called and a committee formed. At a second meeting the president of the league and the chairman of the camp committee were present. Some discussion took place, and both these gentlemen intimated that the league would welcome a representative of the committee on the league, and issued an invitation accordingly, with the assurance that they would see to it that he was duly elected to the camp management committee. The invitation was accepted as given in writing and the nomination fee paid, but after a series of excuses the member was informed, on making inquiries, that the nomination was not accepted! The kindly reference in the annual report of the league regarding Mr. Dustin was well deserved, and many of us feel that the scheme, which was a very worthy one at the time, suffered a tremendous loss when that gentleman found it necessary to relinquish his activities on the league.

Mr. Dustin's success in this direction can be attributed to the fact that he

was big enough to seek to accept the advice of practical experience and, together with a vision which is so necessary, he was able to plan a programme of years which has been so sadly lacking since his resignation.

The league would be well advised recall the original aim ot the camp and its programme and to remember that in the beginning farmers were approached for their support which was readily given, by release of land lor afforestation, camp site, and many other facilities, and while it was not all considered desirable, the assurance ' was given that we would never regret the assistance given, it was decided, and wisely too, that the camp should 1 be closed from October 1 to May 1 and that is definitely the opinion of farmers to-day.—l am, etc. F. PRITCHARD. No. 1 Line. Sir,—ln answer to Mr. Pritchard’s inquiries I : ust state that I did not think it possible for anyone to misconstrue or misunderstand the wording of my interview with a ‘'Chronicle” reporter. I definitely state that the league docs not, nor has it any intention of entering into competition with others in lhe labour market for the services of the youths of to-day. Further, while the lads have many privileges and are well treated and cared for, as ail workers should be, the camp is by no means ‘‘a haven of rest” as Mr. Pritchard quoted it. There are many and varied duties in connection with the camp life, embracing tree planting, marram grass planting, fencing, work in the nurseries, and usual j camp routine. It is obvious that it would be impossible to ’ operate such ‘an enterprise without a planned > schedule of work.

I might state that no lad is permitI ted to enter the camp without first 1 having made application to the chairman or the secretary. When satisfied that the lad is of the right type they grant the necessary permission. I can assure Mr. Pritchard that the lads are not encouraged to stay at the camp definitely, nor to return after deliberately having left a suitable position. If the latter is the case the comi mittee make it their business to obtain ! information on both sides before I granting permission to return to the [ camp. In the former case the comi mittee are deeply indebted to the ’ Labour Department and to the State ; Placement Service for the spirit of coi operation they have shown in obtain- ’ ing positions for many of the lads and • in helping to eliminate the possibility ' of any lad having to stay at the camp : indefinitely.

; With reference to the election of a i gentleman who, as a member of the • league, could at the same time repre- ! sent the bondholders, I would state i that the chairman of the camp and 1 ! did all in our power to carry out our ' parts. A member of the bondholders’ i committee, to whom even Mr. Prit- : chard cannot take exception, was ; elected by public vote to the exccui live of the league and will, in due ; course, become a member of the new ; afforestation committee. I am quite isure that everyone in Wanganui will 1 agree that Mr. Dustin did excellent work for the lads and the camp. In paying tribute to him I take this opportunity of saying that his efforts in that direction earned him *the gratitude, appreciation, and admiration of the entire city. Through the columns of your paper I extend to Mr. Pritchard a hearty welcome to a meeting of the Development League. I The new camp committee comprises: Messrs. A. Hallijan, D. McGregor, R. Farley, C. S. Brown, A. Drummond and W. G. Gilberd. It thus includes two practical farmers. For and on behalf of the Tourist and Development League. W. J. GIBSON HUGHES, President.