GISBORNE’S THANKS EXTENDED TO Y.F.C. FENCING PARTIES ON EVE OF DEPARTURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22664, 15 June 1948, Page 4

GISBORNE’S THANKS EXTENDED TO Y.F.C. FENCING PARTIES ON EVE OF DEPARTURE

GISBORNE’S thanks to the 43 representatives of Young Farmers’ C'luhs from the Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay areas, who spontaneously offered assistance to get fences in this district in order following the recent disastrous flooding, were extended to the visitors at a smoke concert last evening on the eve of their departure for their homes.

The speakers, representing town and country interests, were introduced by Mr. S: D. Briant, senior advisory member for the Manutuke Young Farmers’ Club.

that co-operation more than any other part of New Zealand. Mr. Whitlock thanked the organising authorities for their attention to the comfort of the visitors. The chairman of the district committee of the Y.F.C. movement. Mr. D. G. Smith, spoke of the value of the visit from the point of view of the movement.

“Never in the history of Gisborne has such a gesture been made by strangers to the town as has been made bj' you young men here tonight,” said the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull.

“IS has proved to New Zealand that when there is a district in trouble, as this one has been, there are people prepared to sacrifice their own interests. Gisborne Will Not Forget

He said the action of the party in coming to Gisborne to give practical aid had indicated to the public something of what the Y.F.C. meant to the farming community. If some of those farmers assisted by the young farmers were in doubt as to a means of showing their appreciation, Mr. Smith drew attention to efforts being made to build up a fund to build memorial wings at Massey and Lincoln Agricultural Colleges for the use of short-term students. Donations to that fund could be made. Presentation Made

“I wish to thank you on behalf of the people of Gisborne and say that they will never forget what you have done,” added the Mayor. “If ever you are in the same trouble I ant sure there are many willing volunteers who will go to your aid from this district, but I sincerely trust that such an occasion will never occur. "You have done a job that will live in the memory of our people as long as they do live and that applies io the young and the old,’’ Mr. Bull concluded.

As an expression of appreciation, Mr. A. Jolly, on behalf ot the visitors, presented Mr. and Mrs. Charles with, small gifts and expressed the young farmers’ thanks to the people of Gisborne for their hospitality. Supper was served following che official part of the programme and the guests were entertained by Mr. Bull, Messrs. O. Pritchard. H. A. Patterson, T. Bonita, Russel Thompson, and Mr. C. Nunns’ eight-piece orchestra. The convoy of three vehicles left the showgrounds at 8 a.m. today on its return south with the Y.F.C. party.

The immediate past president of Federated Farmers. Mr. C. H. Williams, drew attention to the fact that the visitors had done more than the mere restoration of fence lines.

They had established a precedent fhat would be remembered for many years of how, when farmers were in trouble with a God-sent disaster, other farmers were willing to go to their assistance without delay.

Mr. Williams spoke highly of the Young Farmers’ Club movement as one that was equipping well the future leaders of the farming community of New Zealand, on which the success of Ihe Dominion as a producing unit depended. Value of TI.F. Movement

It was a great responsibility to be undertaken by the movement and, in his opinion, the movement was one of the most valuable ever introduced into the country

Mr. H D. C. Lange, senior advisory member of the Gisborne club, thanked the previous speakers for their kind references to the movement.

He said he felt that the clubs did not get quite the measure of support from members of the district farming community as they deserved. Mr. Lange suggested that farmers with sons or young men working on their properties should see to it that they joined the ranks of the movement. “The Federated Farmers have done a wonderful job, but that is in our own district." continued Mr. Lange. “You boys have come in from outside and have been willing to sacrifice a lot in this time of stress.”

Faced with the problems associated with flood damage and knowing of the acute shortage of skilled labour, Mr. S. McGUinness, provincial president of Federated Farmers, said the offer of help from the visitors was most appreciated. He associated himself with the expressions of thanks extended by previous speakers. It would only invite further trouble, he said, if the farmers now sat back merely satisfying themselves with the thought that it was through flooding that the flats were built up. If that were the case surely there would be another flood and with more disastrous consequences. National Problem: River Control It was necessary to do something to control the river, and the_ problem should be viewed as a national one. The effects on production would be felt nationally. Major E. R. Elliott, chairman of the Flood Relief Committee, said it was not only the work carried out by the visiting young farmers that counted, but the spirit in which the aid was offered. Their offer in a time of need had had a tremendous psychological effect on the people of the district. The effect on morale was as valuable as the actual work done. He paid a tribute also to the work of Mr. and Mrs. W. Charles in the cookhouse at the camp on the Showgrounds and to Mr. R. C. Parker, who had made himself responsible for the quartermastering. All had been moved by the spirit of generosity. Mr. F. E. Humphreys, chairman of the Gisborne branch of Federated Farmers, endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and said that to put their work on a comparative basis the work carried out by the young farmers had been the equivalent of what could be carried out by two men working for one year. He proposed a toast to Mr. R. G. Parker, who had so ably _ tendered to the requirements of the visitors.

A Pleasure to Work With

On behalf of the visitors, the offleer-in-charge, Mr- H. P. Whitlock, said it had been a pleasure to work with them. They had been no worry and their spirit from the start had been first-rate The party had been impressed with the fine spirit of co-operation existing between town and country in Gisborne and they felt sure that this district had