BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 August 1924, Page 4

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

The value of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement, adopted from Canada, and intended as a factor in stemming the drift of population to the towns which is taking place in this country, as in most other countries, has been acknowledged and stressed time and again. Its influence has been proved to he good, and has definitely encouraged a bias towards agriculture and aroused an interest in the work of the farm in the young people who fake part in the competitions annually arranged for them. The question was brought up and briefly discussed at the Winter Show executive meeting recently. The opinion of the members was most decidedly that the movement from every point of view was one which should be fostered and encouraged in every way possible. It is not by any means solely a farmers’ concern. The people of the towns, depending as they do for their welfare on the successful working and continued development of the land, should be as vitally interested as the farmers. This feeling was very strongly expressed by the Winter Show executive, which is a body combining the best interests of town and country. Members of the executive agreed that every endeavour should be made' to secure much stronger assistance and keener support for the Boys’ and Gilds’ Club movement. It may be seen by the schedule of the show how liberally the executive assists the clubs by the classes included and the prizes given. The suggestion was made that business people should lend assistance, and so take' a part in interesting the townspeople more in the movement. We consider the l idea a very good one, and we suggest that the committee organising the competitions interview the business men’s executives, the Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers' Association, and appeal for support on behalf of the boys and girls of the country districts. ■ The movement is one of great impqrtance to the Dominion, which depends so much upon its primary industries. The country wants many more good farmers, and the best should be those born and bred in New Zaland, possessing an innate love of their countyr, and encouraged from the days of childhood to take an interest iii its productive soil and in the animals which so well repay one for the care and attention given to them.