MORE BOY FARMERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 644, 18 February 1914, Page 2

MORE BOY FARMERS.

DEPARTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Under the New Zealand Government scheme for sending farming youths from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, a second party of 50 left London on January Bth. They had been selected from a total of 500 applicants, residing in various pacts of the United Kingdom, and all had had the advantage of farming experience. Just before thek departure, the party assembled at the Home and Colonial Hotel, St. Pancras, where the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, the High Commissioner, who was accompanied by Mr T. E. Donne, and Mr H. C. Cameron, gave them a short, homely and practical address. Mr Mackenzie's first advice to the lads—a fine lot of young fellows—was to shun the cup that cheers but also inebriates. "Become teetotallers if you are not already so," said he. "Give the best service that is in you to your employers, and don't expect your path to be always smoothed for you. Be prepared to rough it, and don't cry to return to mother's apron strings on the first approach of trouble or hardship." The High Commissioner then drew the lads' attention particularly to New Zealand's defence scheme, and explained briefly just what compulsory training meant, and how it would affect them. The boys cheered his remarks on the subject warmly, and it was evident that so far as they were concerned, the prospect of being trained to defend the land of their adoption did not exactly appal them. Finally, Mr Mackenzie said: — "On the badge attached to your breast is the word, "Onward"; that should be the motto. You are a fine lot of young fellows, and in wishing you good-bye 1 also wish you every success, and may God bless you in the land to which you are going. The party went out under the charge of Sergeant Thomson." i