UNEMPLOYED BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1935, Page 4

UNEMPLOYED BOYS

TRAINING IN FARM WORK

CAMP AT PENROSE

The Boy Employment Committee has made its selection of boys who1 are to be included in the first group of those going into training at Penrose Agricultural Training Farm, Masterton. Following medical examination, out of 37 applications received, 27 boys were accepted for " the first group, which will commence training on Monday, next.

The Unemployment Board has made I provision for the training of at least 100 city boys, and some time ago it was decided by the committee that, instead of taking a large number of boys into training, at one time, arrangements would "be made for successive groups of .25 boys in each. This would make for more effective results and more intensive application of the training to each individual boy. The average age of the boys selected for the first group is 17 years, and the majority of them come from needy homes. AH have signified their willingness to take up farm work at the conclusion of their training, and, judging by appearances and the enthusiasm displayed by the boys, it would seem that the same success is t assured this year's. effort as was the case .with the Penrose camps in previous. years. OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. It is emphasised by the Boy Employment Committee that there is no work of greater national importance than that of transferring the interest of as many boys as possible from the cities to the country. During the past two years there has been a shortage of juvenile labour in the country, de1 spite the fact that hundreds of boys have been out of work in the cities. The training scheme will, in the first place, give every Wellington boy at present out of work, or contemplating a change to the country, an opportunity of making first-hand contact with actual farm conditions, and of receiving a preliminary, training which will stand him in good stead throughout life, as well: as enabling him to obtain better conditions should he decide to take: up farm work immediately on completion of the training. If sufficient boys are- offering it is intended that'the Penrose training farm should become the recruiting centre for plac T ing Wellington boys on farms, and every precaution will be taken by the committee to ensure that boys will be placed with farmers who will take an interest in them,, provide them with satisfactory working and living conditions, and enable them to obtain the best possible experience. Boys anywhere in the Wellington district should have no hesitation in applying for a place under the Penrose. scheme. The one month's preliminary training will not only give them the benefit of an exceptionally good setting-up holiday under the most ideal conditions, but, by means.of the introductory training, it will enable their instructors and parents to determine whether they are fitted for farm work or not. While in training the boys will be well looked after, and during the whole of the period they will be in the care of ex-i perienced officers. Mr. Len. J. Greenberg, general secretary of the YM.C.A., who conducted the previous Penrose camps, will again be in. charge, and will be assisted by Mr. H. Palmer and' other experienced officials of the Boy' Employment Committee' and. the V.M.C.A. The boys will be under wholesome discipline while in train-ing,--although^ nothing '.Will, be done ■which will make the-trainirig. irksome for the."'lads;': the majority of whom are going out.to the country for the first time. The trustees of the Wairarapa Training Farm, of which Sir William Perry is the chairman, have again made available the excellent farm equipment and the services of the manager, .Mr. Blatchford, and farm staff. The buildings, in which .the boys will be housed consist of a large dormitory, divided into cubicles for sleeping, with messroom, recreation hall, kitchen, culinary and toilet facilities complete. Tents Will be. added where necessary. There are outbuildings also,for the use of the staff and for. administration purposes,' as well as hospital ward,-lounge room for visitors, storerooms, etc.. The train-' ing farm consists of 700 acres, and is completely stocked and equipped. There is also a large playing area and a swimming pool nearby. THE TRAINING PROGRAMME. In connection with the training programme, the committee will have the services of the permanent farm staff, specially augmented for the purpose, as well as the co-operation of the nearby farmers. Every Friday • will be given to .lectures and demonstrations by officers of the Agriculture Department. The following training scheme has been arranged by the Department: "The Soil—formation, types, etc."; "The Plant, Structure, plant'food, demonstration with grasses and seeds"; "Fertilisers; types, ■ composition, uses, etc., demonstration .with samples"; "Pastures, composition, establishment, and management, etc."; "Crops, plough; ing, cultivation, sowing, harvesting, etc."; "Implements"; "Hay and Ensilage, their place in farm programme"; "Farming, the year's'programme, sheep and dairy farming"; "General resume of lectures, etc.," by Mr. S. Freeman, Fields Instructor, Masterton; Mr. T. H. Hankin, Veteririarian-^'Cattle, Breeds and Management"; Mr. A, T. P. Hubbard, Inspector of Stock, "Sheep, Breeds and Management"; Mr. jl. C. Brown—"Poultry Management"; Mr. K. W.'Gorringe," "Pigs and Pig -Management": Mr. Hankin, "Diseases of Stock," also demonstration on the horse and management of horses. ■

Enrolments will now be accepted for the second training group, members of which will commence their training within a fortnight's time. Parents perplexed by the continued idleness of their boys, or contemplating for them a career in the country," should have no hesitation in enrolling their boys. In the case of boys coming from needy homes, no charge will be made.

To qualify for enrolment the boy or youth must give'some evidence of good character and a desire to work in the country in the event of an opportunity offering. He must ,be in reasonably good health, and have the written consent of parents or guardian. The course is restricted to boys and youths under twenty-one years of age. The course is .by no means in the nature of a relief camp,'it is carried out by voluntary effort on behalf of the citizens of Wellington with a view to assisting parents and boys in the present circumstances prevailing in the community.. Preference will be given to boys in the order of their suitability and date of application Any boy resident within Wellington district is eligible to attend the course Contributions of goods-ih-kind, such as jams, fruit, and other edibles suitable for the boys in training, would be appreciated by the committee, and citizens interested in this, effort are asked to give their support in this way. Goods may be left at the V.M.C.A., or the committee can arrange for .them to be Collected.

Viiriouirmatters affecting Importers were dealt with _nt n.-rijeeting •of the council of-the •Wellington Importers' Association, and Mr. A. L. Wall, who hus just returned irom hngluml. save an account of his interview with various ' shippiii" dllVci-iis in (•omiecllon with tlic minest by (he INcvv Zealand Importers'. Federation Tor a reduction- in freight rates iiom the United Kingdom to New Zealand.