THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1912. THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10718, 1 November 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1912. THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

When the Sedgwiclc scheme for the introduction of Home lads to this country was first mooted, we expressed our doubts concerning both its wisdom and efficacy. Reports that have reached us concerning the adaptability of the English boys for the farm life of the Dominion, and the enthusiasm they have displayed in their work, have caused us to modify our opinion concerning the scheme, and to express the hope that it may be extended. In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr T. E.Sedgwick has just returned to England from Ontario, where he has placed 50 boys, and so pleased is the Government there with the whole scheme that negotiations are now in .progress for placing 500 lads on Ontario farms during next year. The British Columbian Government ia considering the general adoption of the Now Zealand 6cheme, while New Brunswick has decided to try a first party of 50 boys. So far as Australia is concerned, some of t.ho States are granting reduced passages to lads at £B. Tasmania lias been considering the schemo for two years past, but no instructions of a definite character hnve yet readied London. Concerning New South Wales, Mr Sedgwick has had n conversation with the president of the Million Club, of Sydney, who is now in London. This gentleman thinks, the New Zealand apprenticeship scheme (the Government supervision and banking of wages) quite the ideal one. and business may be expected in this quo i ter shortly. The Million Club has money to spend, ;uid is convinced that tho immigration of youths is essential for the development of the country. South Australia has decided to adopt the scheme, subject to certain details in supervision being settled, and is inquiring whether a first party of 50 boys can go early next year. In West Australia the great difficulty; tag QQa ftf |joa| L-L"*-"- "SLJCO~-J

[ lUM'i.mrnodation, but this is now being I overcome. Mr Sedgwick has been a ](>;>< iintr merchant of this State, who outlined n very similar scheme some eight years ago. Hp met with a discouraging reception, and the scheme 1 came to nothing, but now, with the i experience of New Zealand, ho pro- . poses to bring the matter once more I before the State Government. Mr j Sedgwick, who continues to receive i satisfactory letters from the boys in New Zealand, states that ho has the money promised for the next party of boys as soon as the Dominion Gov. eminent will undertake the supervision as before. Ho his now twelve centres in London and the provinces, and is in close touch with boys' clubs and social centres. The success of the parties to New Zealand and Ontario is now so well known that Mr Sedgwick has had piles of letters from hoys who wish to be included in similar parties, and there is a long and 1 ever-growing waiting list.