LEARNING TO FARM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4905, 20 November 1925, Page 1

LEARNING TO FARM.

BOYS’ FROM ENGLAND.

ARE THEY SUITABLE PUPILS ?

Some criticisms of certain of the public schoolboys who were coming out under the scheme, inaugurated by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was indulged in at the monthly meeting of the North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at New Plymouth. A resolution was passed, in which it was decided to made representation to the Chamber in regard to the selection of the boys and their control whilst in New' Zealand.

The matter came up as the result of a communication from the Immigration Dep ar,binent, Which has taken over all applications for English public schoolboys for farms, giving particulars of the manner in which applications from Tai;anaki farmers haddealt with.

Mr I. E. Larkings (Okato) said that he was of the opinion that the boys in many cases were suffering from an over indulgence of motherhood. He considered they should be compelled to stop with the farmers, for’ three years, subject to the approval, of the Secretary of Immigration. If the boys knew that they were bound to stop on the farm for that time they would settle down to the work and not be so ready to play the fool, for' a farmer was put to much inconvenience in teaching them, and lost valuable time. He considered that certain amendments should be made in regard to the wages allowed the boys. That the boys from the Flock House were more satisfactory than those being sent out to New Zealand at present was an opinion expressed by Mr S. Vickers. He said the Flock House boys were initiated in matters relating to farming before .they left the House, and, he was sure, would prove more useful and more successful as workers on the land. He was not deprecating the work which was being carried out by '‘he Chamber of Commerce, but in view of complaints juts! put forward something should be done in the matter. The chairman (Mr A'. S. Hicks) : Is the meeting certain that the complaints are solely concerned with those boys brought put by the Chamber of Commerce ? The reply was in the affirmative.