BOY IMMIGRATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4701, 21 May 1924, Page 3

BOY IMMIGRATION.

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SCHEME. DOUBTFUL SUCCESS.. Boy immigration has not proved a success in South Australia, according to the Premier (Mr Gunn), who deal, with the question in a speech at Peterborough. The Premier declared that the records showed that a number of boys had absconded and had been dismissed from the scheme, 01 had been released. Eight boys died, three having committed suicide. An increasing number were seeking release. The Labour Government was favourable to immigration, provided the right type of settler was brought out. and that provision was made for the employment of new arrivals. The Premier said the plain fact was tha 1 the Government was forced to th- conclusion that it was impossible to continue the boy immigration scheme. After perusing much correspondence regarding the scheme, he said emphatically that it could not be eoirectly described as a success. DEMANDS FOR RELEASE. Sir Henry Barwell during the election campaign must have met manj boys who complained bitterly that the conditions were not as had been represented to them in England. The Premier said that at one centre in the country a number of boys approached the ex-Premier by a deputation and asked permission to have their agreements cancelled because they considered that they were not receiving a wage in accordance with their age and ability. The Immigration Department now would be turned into a sort of arbitration court to settle the.se differences and make transfers. NO suitable LAND. Many boys came with the understanding that they would be able to secure land, but suitable lar.d was not available, and no attempt had been made to make it available. He was anxious that the Govern.nient should not be misunderstood. They still had a legal and moral responsibility in regard tp hundreds ol boys in the State who had come out under the scheme. The Government would do its' utmost to make satisfactory adjustments. Many farmers had shown a keen interest in the boys, and were paying them more than th? minimum rate of pay specified. NOMINATION SYSTEM. The Government was convinced that the nominated system of migration was more satisfactory, and by judicious advertising and organisation it intended to make .the -present conditions under which persons could be nominated more widely known. The Prime Minister would be requested, where necessary, to advance the full amount of fare to nominated persons. W?ll-e-.:tablished firms would be permitted to nominate skilled, or semiskilled. labourers in cases where the Government was satisfied that the labour required was not available in the Slate. In all cases employment at award rates would have to be. guaranteed. Farmers would re able to nominate rural workers under cimilar conditions.