BOYS FOR FARMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3840, 4 September 1928, Page 2

BOYS FOR FARMS.

TRAINING OF IMMIGRANTS. PLEA FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. The training of boys to become farmers was discussed in the Legislative Council on Thursday. Several members paid tribute to the Salvation Army and the Flock House schemes for the. introduction of young farm workers. The Hon. J. Craigie said he would like to see the Government establish a scheme of the kind and place new settlers on a special Government farm for training. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass urged the remission of land tax so far as Flock House was concerned, in view of the fine work being done by that institution.

The Hon. J. Barr said it was time the Government took notice of the number of people being brought here from Home by religious institutions, while young and high-ly-educated New Zealanders were unable to find occupations. The Government should hold an investigation and take steps to ensure that young men upon whose education so much money was being spent could find a place.

The Hon. E. Newman said he did not think any exception could be taken to the sons and daughters of British seamen being brought to Flock House. The success of Flock House was due to the careful selection of the imigrants at Home and to the indenture system. It was hoped the Imperial Government would afford assistance to the scheme. He was not awfere of any Flock House trainees having drifted to towns. The directors of Flock House had never become reconciled to the action of the GdVernment in imposing taxation on the institution. '

Mr. Newman advocated closer settlement. He suggested that at the termination of present ownership large estates should be compulsorily cut up. If a land bill was brought down he.h°P e cl it would provide for groups of boys to take up land.