YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1969, 28 January 1914, Page 9

YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.

SAFE AT THEIR FARMS

Tlie party of fifty-one boys, who came from the rural districts of the Old Country to try their fortunes in this young land have now all been safely placed at the several farms where they are to bo employed. The boys' arrival created something of a stir. First'of all emissaries from the nowly-forraed Rural Workers' Union made a determined attempt at Auckland to induce tho lads to tnrow over thework procured for them by the New Zealand Government. Baulked at Auckland, the agent of the union travelled to Wellington by train, with tho object of inducing the boys to leave tho Government control.' A number of 'agonts of the union actually boarded tho Wahino to interview tho South Island detachment, and as they had no business on board they were asked to leave tho ship. They went ashore, and bought steorage tickets to Lyltoltoii. Presently it was apparent that a largo. - section of the steerage passengers were not opposed to the importation of tl.o boys, and there was some argument and unpleasantness. To prevent friction' in which the boys mipht tm involved, tho. paptain of tho ship ordered them to move into the saloon. After that there- was no more trouble.

On the journey south by train the boys travelled in a special carriage, and tho farmers who wero to receive the young immigrants met them at wayside stations, and took them to their future homes. 'Not one of the boys deserted.

It is understood that 80 por cent, of ■the farmers to whom the boys have gono have promised to pay ruoro than the minimum wago of 7s. 6d. per w< ek if the lads prove capable, and there is. no_ reason to supposo that those promises will not he kept. It may also he mentioned that every boy is to be supplied with food and clothing in addition 6d. per week. This nr« rangSm'ent'holds for one year, after which every boy is a free agent, and ln> may enter-, any employment he may chooso, at the best wage he can obtain.

At Home these boys were paid less than 7s. 6d. a week. Inquiry among thorn elicited tho : information that tho average wage was about 2s. 6d. ' per week. . ' ' ■ . •

_ A second party of fifty lads will arrive early in March, and possibly there may bb similar attempts mado to take thorn away from the- Government officers. Tho organisation of the'lnimigratioli Department on , this last occasion was thorough, and quito good enough to circumvent those who were hostile. It will probably bo improved by this experience. .

•' So good does tlm scheme for importing boys seem to the Victorian and New South Wales Governments, who lmvb been, making: inquiries from the New Zealand Immigration Department about it, that they have cabled .to their Agents-General in London to arrange to have 4000 boys sent out to those States on the snme terms as those on which the New Zealand boys have been engaged..