To Train Farmers

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 February 1918, Page 1

To Train Farmers

A NEW SALVATION ABMY VENTURE. The Salvation Army's numerous activities in New Zealand have now been added to by the establishment of a Boys' Training .Farm in the Waikato. This important step has been made possible by the gift of the lease (with right of purchase) of 2000 acres of good land between Cambridge and Botorua by Messrs. George Alexander and Ewen M'Grcgo'r, both of whom have successfully farmed similar land in the Upper Waikato. The land has already been purchased outright, and Commandant Charles Fitness has been appointed manager.

In giving particulars of the new schemc to a reporter, Commissioner H. C. Hodder stated that the Army was embarking on a now departure altogether. Owing to the conditions brought about by the war, it rested with every nation to heed the cry, "Back to the Land," and to train as farmers those boys who were too young to become soldiers. The authorities had seen in the gift the chance they wanted, and as soon as possible the land will be converted into a general training farm for boys, the sons of fallen soldiers preferred. The idea is to sccure boj-s and others, such as

those from the orphanages, between the ages of 14 and 18, and inculcate in them a love of the land; while giving tliem a sound training in farm life. It is the intention to cover all branches—agricultural, pastoral, dairying, and poultry-raising—and in addition to give bovs a smattering of allied industries, such as blaeksmithing, saddlery, carpentry, and the like—a thorough course extending over about four years. The majority of those turned out would bo good farm labourers, but others, who showed a particular aptitude, would complete the course more or less finished farmers, and perhaps the Army would help them to start on their own.

Commissioner Hodder and Brigadier Bray( director of the Army's social work) left yesterday to inspect the newly-acquired property.