FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1925, Page 2

FLOCK HOUSE SCHEME

EXTENSION PROPOSER. PA L.M KRSTOX N.. -Ainreti IS. A proposal is being discussed by the trustees of the New Zealand Sheepowners Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund, under which it is suggested to extend the activities uf the movement and bring girls to New Zealand under a scheme similar to that which at present operates in respect to hoys, sons of naval men who died during the war, at block House, near Bulls.

The managing trustee. Air I. RLees, stated to a reporter that the' committee of the fund would probably have something concrete to work upon within a month. There are many difficulties in the way. It is obviously more difficult t<> arrange for girls than

"The trustees u! the hind. stated Mr Lees, “hope to ho able to bring cult the sisters of some of the hoys who are already here ami the idea c>l the scheme is to place them on farms and stations at winch their brothers are apprenticed. banners wives as well as farmers themselves require help, and it is suggested that the girls may lie employed as domestic servants and mothers’ helps. One of the great questions is finance, and upon this depends to a great extent the lengths to which the fund can go. 11 the Government is lo persist in taxing us as is proposed it is certain we will not get very far. When the money was first handed to the fund the Government deduced £35,000 in income tax and now it is proposed to ask tor L9of) pet annum in land tux on flock House, where work is being done to relieve the Government of a great deal oi responsibility. This means that we shall be able to do so much less lor the people at Home for whom the land was instituted. Steps are being taken to persuade the Government to remit this, as the money will have to he paid out or capital and will mean a great deal.’'

Of the second hutch of twenty-nine hovs who arrived at flock House some months a,go eleven have recently been sent out to stations in various parts of the Dominion, fader the compulsory system of saving two-thirds ol the hoys wages are retained and kept in individual saving hank accounts for tlm boys themselves. The next dratt of hoys, numbering thirty, will leave London for New Zealand by the ( orinthic on April 2.