BOY IMMIGRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 181, 30 January 1914, Page 8

BOY IMMIGRATION.

BOYS TRAINED IN FARMING. AN IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC SCHEME. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. While in Otago this week, Mr T. E. Sedgwick, wlio was the author of the Sedgwick scheme of boy immigration, completed arrangements* under which parties of selected Knglish will receive an adequate training in all farming occupations on the estate of Mr Sargood, situated near Lake Wauaka. Mr Sedgwick returned to Wellington from the South to day, and is to leave New Zealand to-morrow on his way to .England to arrange for the in igni tion of the first party of boys. The scheme gives promise of becoming a very .big , one, as it is understood that Mr Sav good is prepared to accommodate a constant succession of lads on -his property. Recently he visited England, and was so impressed with the wretchedness of the living conditions of the poor in the large cities that lie determined to help some, at least, of the boys to make a ntart in a new laud. He is even advancing to boys the amount of their passage-money to the Dominion. Mr. Sedgwick lias been authorised to select suitable boys from the large cities of Great Britain and send them direct to New Zealand. At first only a few will be despatched, but later 011 the number will be considerably increased. Hours of labor will be from 4'i to 50 per week, and their minimum wage to begin with will be 7s 6d weekly. Every thin;; will bo found for them in the way of'housing, clothes, etc. The scheme will also include, a proper system for tanking the boys' wages. An Important feature of tile scheme is that the lads will lie j free agents all the time. There is to be 110 question of apprenticeship, and thev need only remain 011 he estate just as long as they feci disposed to do so. A year's training is expected to lit the lads to take up regular employment elsewhere. It is intended to select the most efficient workers to remain cm the farm, and assist in the training (if succeeding drafts.