IDLE HOME LADS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 836, 7 June 1910, Page 4

IDLE HOME LADS.

IS THERE ROOM FOR THEM? It would appear that the mission of Mr. Sedgwick, in support of a scheme to secure employment on New Zealand farms for idle ilome lads, has been at least partly successful. The Government lias not committed itself to any definite line 01 action, but is issuing to farmers a memo, with a view of ascertaining whether any lads, if imported, could bo suitably placed. If tho Labour Department finds that there is a desire to engage their services, arrangements will bo made by the High Commissioner to select suitable lads who are fitted for the work, free from criminal taint and mentally sound. Applications must bo sent in to the Labour Department before June 22. The proposal is to bring out fifty boyu if there is the demand next September. It is stated in the memo, issued to farmers that it must be understood that the lads are all town-bred and have followed such work as telegraph messengers, porters, errand-boys, shop and office cleaners, and with a few exceptions do not know even the elements of farm work, but it is assured that the boys are generally physically strong, robust in health, willing, versatile and hard-work-ing.. They are to 'be drawn from the large manufacturing towns and will have on arrival good warm clothing and boots, besides a change for Sunday wear. Farmers are also asked to give details as to wages they are prepared to offer (clothing, etc., included) on engagement, at tiro end of one and two years, with full particulars of duties. The term of engagement may, by the consent of all -parties, including the Department, be extended beyond three years. Special inquiries are being made as to whether the employment of such lads would be likely to prejudically affect colonial lads in the matter of obtaining similar work.

MR. T. E. TAYLOR PROTESTS. (br Teleirranli—Prcsn Association.! Christchurch, June 6. Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., sent the following telegram to Sir Joseph Ward at Wellington to-day:—"l desire to enter an emphatic protest against the scheme for importing boy labour. Thousands of boys are graduation from our schools every year, and the work available in New Zealand belongs rightly to them and, if labou rconditions and pay are just, our population will do all tho work offering."