THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1664, 3 February 1913, Page 8

THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

FABMEBS' UNION APPROVAL. Tho Dominion Secretary of tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr. B. C. Jack) has addressed tho following letter to the .Minister for Immigration (the Hon. H. D. Bell)■ "I am directed by my executive to say, on behalf of the farmers of tho Dominion, that wo are extremely pleased to see yon propose initiating a practical scheme of immigration, We Imve received several replies to our communication from tho branches, which ■ will be sent on to you in a few days.. "There is a matter connected witli this which we desire to bring beforo you, viz.: To respectfully ask you to repeat tho experiment of bringing out another draft of 'Sedgwick' boys. "Some two years ago Mr. Sedgwick was authorised by tlio Government to brine out 50 lads from London and Liverpool to fill positions obtained for them by. the Labour Department on farms in.various parts of the Dominion. The Department undertook the supervision of the lads during the term of their engagement, which averaged about three years. The Government decided to. test the quality of tho lads for twelve months before bringing others. The Department, wo understand, reported - very favourably, but nothing further'was done. , Mr. Sedgwick is still hoping that arrangements will be made for a further lot, and lie has advised us that he .can guaranteo an even better selection than the last.

"There is a!great demand for boys of 18 to 21 years, for farm work, and there can really be no better class of immigrant as they readily, adapt themselves to our conditions. Wo hope you will see your way to include this in your scheme, or if it more directly concerns the Minister for Labour, to urge him to repeat the experiment." '