IMMIGRANT BOYS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1926, Page 4

IMMIGRANT BOYS

alleged neglect. ALA-STERTOrV, April 14. At the last meeting of the .Masterton hrancli el the Fanners’ Union. Mr TI. Evans, wliilc> discussing the allocation ot immigrant buys to farmers, veterred to one or two ease's ot boys being neglected by their c'liiployers, and he expressed tin 1 opinion that better treatment would have to be shown il they hoped to make good settlers of the lads.

At to-day’s meeting of the branch a letter was received from tile lion. E. Newman, M.L.C.. chairman of the body controlling Flock House, drawing a.ttoiition to Air Evan’s remarks, and asking that Mr Evans should state publicly that the hoys to whom he referred were not Flock House hoys, or should supply the trustees with the names of farmers who were not- treating their boys properly. The letter added that it would become impossible for the trustees to carry out Llie work for which the fund was created unless they could ensure beyond doubt that the boys—and later girls- who were indentiirelo to farmers were well and kindly treated. Already they had been treated to severe and most groundless criticism by sections of tl e Labour Party, and naturally they would seize upon such suggestions as made by Air Evans as proof of the truth of their criticism, whereas the trustees had been assured that- of 120 boys now out on farms all were being well treated, and except in one or two cases were giving satisfaction to their empnlyers. When asked for a statement at the meeting to-day Mr Evans said that be had quoted only two cases. One, at Dannevirke, was a Flock House boy. as had been admitted in the Coroner’s inquest on the boy’s death, and the other case lie knew of personally in this district. The latter, who was not a Floc k I louse hoy, had been employed on a farm on the East Coast, and had been left for weeks by himsell, with not a living soul within eight miles of him. Mr Evans contended that systematic inspection was necessary to see that all hoys working on farms were well cared for. Air C. 0. Jackson (provincial president) said that inquiries were being made into the Dannevirke ease and steps wore being taken to prevent a recurrence. He thought Air Evans was quite right in bringing the cases before the public, whether they were Flock House hoys or not. for il they wanted to make good tanners and good settlers of any lads they had to Ice- sure that they were receiving proper treatment.