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Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1929, Page 4

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce come months ago felt considerably concerned over the youthful unemnlovinent’ problem in the citv, and decided that it could do something practical to allevintn the position by assisting boys on to the land. The result was that, with the 00-oooration of the Farmers’ Union. Labour department and educational authorities, it devised a system whereby boys seeking to engage in farming pursuits might be. sent to farmers who through the same source desired juvenile employees. Since the inauguration of the scheme, /which is working satisfactorily from every poin l- of view, twenty lads have been established in nos'tions in the countrv. “We have a feeling that there may be diflVußy in the immediate future in finding sufficient lrys to meet all the a indications from farmers, espneiallv as the scheme becomes better known among flic farming community,” enmmonted J)r 'e-’ic |l>c Oecrc+.arv of toe Chamber. “This is the lime of the year when fl*e milking season is lioginning, and the farmer is feeling the need for extra assistance. The result is that, there ts every reason to sunnose tlmt within the next few weeks there will bo an enormous number of 'amdicaf ions for b 'vs in view of tbe publicity that, is beiim given the scheme by tbe Farmers’ Union. At the i

same 'time, however, it is to he regretted that this is not the time of the year when parents and educational institutions are inclined to release boys who have a bent for farming from their studies.” 'J'here is a wealth of information already to hand to demonstrate that the Auckland chamber’s scheme is fultiling a desired object, even though it be in a modest way. Quite a number of appreciative letters have been received from lads who have gene 10 the country, and one youth, placed early in the scheme, intimates that he is satisfied with his conditions, and out of his earnings has started saving with the object of acquiring land of his own some day. While the remuneration in the country for boys is not high, it compares more than favourably with wages offered youths? for shop and office work. The commencing salary for the latter rarely exceeds £l, whereas that for the farmer-m-tlie making is 10s and keep, which is an appreciable consideration. On the other hand youths in the rural districts have more opportunity to study thrift, temptations to squander their earnings not being placed in their wav. Referring to the wages offering in the country for lads leaving school, Dr Neale explained that generally speaking boys who had some little experience could command 15s a week. The •chamber aimed to start; them at a reasonable though not too high a wage as they were more likely to prove satisfactory to the farmer than if their services were assessed at more than their value. Farmers were usually fair and gave youths committed to their care rises as soon as they showed they were worthy of them.