FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 19639, 19 August 1927, Page 12

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE IN COUNTRY DELEGATES TO FARMERS' UNION 111 order’to seek the support of the, Otago Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union iu tho matter of terming boys’ and girls’ farm dubs and encouraging agricultural competition, a deputation of three waited on the executive at its meeting yesteidar afternoon. Tho deputation comprised Mr W. B. Steel (the secretary of the Otago Expansion League), Prolc&sor A. G. Strong, and Mr E, S. Green (agricultural instructor to the Otago Education Board). Mr Green said they wished to submit a proposal to assist tho forces already at work in stimulating tbo interest of tbo younger generation in agricultural pursuits. Some time ago the Otago Expansion League instituted a scries of crop competitions, which were continued until a couple of seasons ago. and it was considered that these competitions should be resuscitated, as they were of inestimable value. There was no question that'.the Fanners’ Tin ion Was tho befit organisation to further this movement, and the speaker therefore asked that it consider supporting agricultural competitions fur school children between the ages of ten ami eighteen years. Mr Tennent was of tho opinion that Milton would be a suitable district in which to hold the competition this year. The scheme was really on the lines of similar competitions which were at present being held in America, and which were very successful.

Professor Strong said that the holding of such competitions iu America had arisen from a desire to prevent the drift of young people to the city, and the movement had now spread all over the country. The children not only learned about the care of animals, but how to establish regular habits in regard to their own health, as well as that of the animals. In addition, all manner of competitions, such as health, housekeeping, food preserving, and dressmaking, were held. Winners of theso contests were then setn to one or other of the agricultural colleges, whence they brought back much valuable information to other children, 'it should not he a difficult matter for such n scheme to be carried out successfully iu the rural districts of Otago,. Another necessity was a rural instructor for women in the country, who would assist the farmers’ wives and daughters, and who could help in the organisation of rural clubs.

Mi- Steel explained Unit tlie idea bcliiud the movement was to show the young people that there was something in the country, and so check the drift to the towns. Xcw Zealand wanted producers. In the country there wore ingh interests and active life to be served, and the league wished to prove to them this wisdom. It wanted also the help of the Farmers' Union, and should have approached that body before. Without the Farmers’ Union the league could not succeed in the matter. It was with the idea of getting boys and girls to carry on farm work after school age that members wished to organise a club. The speaker considered that the Milton district would bo the best in which to start. In that district the boys had been most successful with their potato-grow-ing. The young farmer should get :t into Ida mind that his calling was a trade, and the basic idea of the whole scheme was to cultivate country pursuits and try to make the youn" people stay on the land. The members of the Fanners’ Union were better litted to take the matter in hand than anyone else, and the aid of local schoolmasters would be quite an asset. Also, the Agricultural Department was so keen on the idea that it would send out officers to bring the young people up to the high standard required. A public meeting, which would be the firet step in connection with the movement, should bo held, and the next step would be to form a club in Milton, which later could bo extended to, say, Milburn or Lovell's Fiat. Then the spirit of emulation of club against club would be produced, with a mutual educative result. The scheme had won enormous success in the United States, and Taranaki had shown a latent force which would be of benefit to the whole dominioiT. A similar spirit should be stimulated among girls. The Chairman (Mr D. M. Reid) assured tho delegates that the Farmers’ Union would co-operate with them in the scheme. He said that the drift to the towns should be alienated, and he would do his best to further ttic movement. Tho union owed a debt of gratitude to Professor Strong, and he thanked the deputation for broaching the subject. After tbc deputation had withdrawn it was moved by Mr Leary and seconded by Mr Preston that the executive endorses the proposal brought forward by the deputation, and that it recommends tho Milton branch to assist the movement in every way possible.