The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1924. BOYS’ AND GIRDS’ CLUBS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 September 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1924. BOYS’ AND GIRDS’ CLUBS.

Delivered every evening by b o’clock in Ha were, Manaia. N^rmanby. Okaiawa, F.lthatn, Paten, Waverley, Mokoia, Wbakamara, Onangaf, Meremere. Fraaer Boad. and Otakeuo Manutahi, Alton, Horleyville, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake,

Those who realise how important it is, for the Dominion to support every movement calculated to help in prim ary production will be glad to note the revival of interest and activity in the Boys' and Girls’ Club organisation shown at the meeting on Saturday. We have on previous occasions pointed out that the movement is one deserving hearty support from the people-of the district, for it has the definite aim and purpose of encouraging children to take an interest in farming. In these days there is far too great a tendency for people to look to the cities and the professions, and there is a grave danger that the rural life will he abandoned by increasingly large numbers of young people m favour of life in the towns. True, there is a glamour about city life which appeals to some people, but the country life has its compensations which in important respects outweigh what the city has to offer. If a city dweller falls sick he is almost invari-, ably advised by his doctor to go into the country to recuperate, because the doctor knows that the clear air and sunshine and the.absence of hurry and bustle are far more conducive' to health than the confined and crowded conditions of the cities. The health of the individual is one important reason why people should prefer to live in the country, but there is the question of national importance—production. New Zealand’s strength and wealth come from the land. Nature has blessed our islands with a very fertile soil, and the climate is such as to make it possible for man to reap an abundant harvest from the land, if he co-operates with Nature along scientific lines. The old idea, that farming a wearisome drudgery is being abandoned, as year by year science is com-

ing to- play a. more important part in rural pursuits and farming is becoming more and more an exact science, requiring study and thought equal to that of most of the professions. If, therefore, people think that farmers occupy a lowly estate in the life of the community they should immediately disillusion themselves, for the knowledge and training required to make good farmers are very great, and in order to be a success it is better to begin young. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement, has been inaugurated lor that purpose. The children are encouraged to take an interest in the growth of crops and to watch them carefully at the various stages, and they are also encouraged to- become lovers of animals and to watch, their growth from the calf stage onward®. The most interesting study in the world is life, and children naturally become very keen if their minds are directed towards life and growth. The movement has suffered to some extent, we think, because parents have not given their children the encouragement which they should have, given, but now that- those who are directing the movement have given clear evidence that they intend to bring into it strong new life, it is to. be hoped that parents will realise the great importance of the Boys’ and Girls’ Chibs and will join in to make the. clubs a great success and an influence to promote good farming and a. greater love or the land aud the. animals which provide the Dominion with its wealth.