N.Z. BOYS FOR THE LAND.

Shannon News, 29 October 1929, Page 2

N.Z. BOYS FOR THE LAND.

NEW GOVERNMENT SCHEME.

Determined efforts are to be made by the Government to find openings for New Zealand boys on the land, according to the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Industries and Commerce, avlio armmd in Auckland on Sunday to open the aunual conference of the'Neiv Zealand Associated .Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Cobbe is of . opinion that there are plenty of opportunities for boys to take up farming ivith excellent prospects bf success. “My department is co-operating with the Labour Department in the . iicav scheme,” Mr. Cobbe said. “I hope to be able to make a detailed anI nouncement of our plans in the near future, and to give early effect to them. The Labour Department, of course, has its officers all over the Dominion and the object is that these officers Avill And positions for suitable applicants. “We -shall keep a list of the boys placed in positions and shall probably have a permanent inspector to see that they are working under good conditions a\id are doing satisfactory ivork. .The boys Avill have to start at a nominal Avage of about 10s a week, but there Avill be rapid increases, depending on ability. Ultimately something will be done to see that the boys get land to farm for themselves.

“Generally, the scheme will follow the same lines as those adopted with the English public school boys. We have received strong representations t.o continue the AA-ork with boys from England, but we think that our own boys should at least get the same opportunities. Not all the boys leaving our secondary schools can hope to obtain good city positions, and it will be. an excellent thing for the country if some of them can be induced to go on the land.”