BOYS FOR THE LAND.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 305, 12 September 1929, Page 4

BOYS FOR THE LAND.

AN IMPORTANT PROJECT^ Putaruru Farmers Approve of Scheme. An important decision was reached by Cabinet last week, when a scheme for the training of New Zealand boys ' in farm work was adopted. Briefly the scheme is as follows:

Boys who are accepted must not as a general rule be under 15 years of age. They will be guaranteed a minimum commencing wage of 10s per week for the first three months, and 15s per week for the second three months, together with board and lodging. The rate of increase in wages after that period will depend entirely on the boy himself. The lads will not be indentured unless by mutual agreement between the farmer and the parents for the period of six months’ employment. Speaking in support of the scheme, .Sir Joseph Ward stated that it would be possible ft>r successful trainees on completion of their training period to take advantage of the proposed land settlement legislation. The scheme would be under the direction of the Under-Secretary of Immigration.

The scheme was brought under the notice of several farmers, and it was agreed that it was a good one, but it was held that in order to be truly successful full provision would have to be made to ensure that the lads were enabled to own farms of their own, and, as one farmer pointed out, it lead back to the important question of finance, without which no success was possible.