[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The suggestions contained in
Mr. T. E. Limmer's letter on the subject of migration within the Empire for Public Secondary School boys, which appeared in the Spectator of October 6th, while worthy of the sympathetic consideration of all who have the welfare of the Empire at heart, require some qualification. His statements that no encouragement is offered to this type of boy to migrate, and that they have to join the crowd awaiting enrolment at the London offices of the Dominions, appear to be based on a misapprehension of the present position. So far as Australia, at any rate, is concerned there is at least one Scheme, the Dreadnought Scheme of the New South Wales Government, which affords an excellent opportunity for this type of boy. Though it is not at present entirely limited to boys from Public Secondary Schools, it is just this sort of boy that the responsible authori- ties are most anxious to get.
It is not possible here to go fully into the details of this Scheme, but it is relevant to point out that the boys go out in the charge of an experienced Welfare Officer, are met on arrival by immigration officials and conducted to a training farm where they are given three or six months' training, being afterwards found employment on carefully selected farms and given every encouragement to keep in touch with the Immigra- tion Department. I have recently had before Me reports from people of standing known to me who have studied conditions on the spot, and who have actually spent some time with the boys at the training farm. It is quite clear from their reports that the Australian authorities are doing all they can to ensure the general welfare of the lads who go out under this Scheme. I should further like to point out that in the case of boys from Public Secondary Schools there is no need for them to join a waiting crowd at the offices of the Dominion or elsewhere. They may apply at the offices of the Head- Masters' Employment Committee of the Incorporated Associa- tion of Head-Masters in Queen Anne's Chambers, Westminster, where they can receive all the information they require and have the whole business arranged for them. This Committee deals exclusively with boys from the Public Secondary Schools, and is ready to give them all the consideration to which this type of boy is accustomed.—I am, Sir, &c., W. P. FULLER, Chairman, Head-Masters' Employment Committee. St. Clement Danes Holborn Estate Grammar School, W.C. 2.
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