WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1928, Page 3

WELLINGTON NEWS

JUVENILE AGRICULTURAL CLUBS fSpecia! to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, August 13. “The true aim of agricultural instructions in primary schools is not to produce the biggest vegetable that can he produced, hut to develop in tho pupils a scientific attitude towards agriculture. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement seeks to develop the practical rather than the scientific side of agricultural instruction,” and this is quite correct, and no doubt a good deal of the trouble is lack of knowledge of when and how and why these juvenile agricultural clubs were started. Like many other good things the idea emanated from the United States. About twelve years ago the Capper Povs and Girls Clubs were instituted in America. To-day they are world famous, comprising more than a million members whose produce realises more than £1,500.000 yearly. Named after the founder of the movement.

Senator Arthur Capper, the incident that brought the need for such clubs before his notice is worth relating. “ Please help me to buy a pig.” wrote a small boy to that kindly-hearted public man. who readily complied with the request, that was the beginning. A system was devised to set the sys-

tem on a sound basis, and now it counts as one off the most remarkable institutions of a remarkable nation.

It spread to Canada, then to England, and it has made its appearance in several Australian States. In Queensland they have concentrated more oil pig clubs, in which the Department of Agriculture takes a keen interest. An organiser visited a hundred schools and secured the co-opera-tion of teachers, school committees and parents of the children. These clubs are now flourishing and pnV.es are given each year for the best

animals. . , In South Australia young farmers club's lor the raising of purebred stock are doing good work. 1" Victoria a calf club was established at Geelong some years ago. At AVyuna South a family club established live years ago, has achieved remarkable results, two purebred heifer calves purchased at the time by two hoys and two girls of the family out of their own pocket money, have given 18,142 gallons of milk and 5,8151 b of buttei tat. t„ta 1 revenue from this source alone, without taking into consideration thenprogeny, was £587• There are now five heifer descendants and four >u calves. At another place there has been formed recently a boy and girl calf club, and at Ballarat, as a result of the -activity of the Rotary Club, several of these children’s clubs have

been formed. . Children’s poultry clubs are being formed in different centres., and on the whole there is a distinct tendency in most parts of Victoria to encourage children to take an interest in amnia breeding and rearing. With a view to establishing this movement on a sound basis the Department of Agriculture, the Victorian Railways, the Department of Education and the Chamber of Agriculture are combining their efforts and in an illustrated pamphlet has been issued on behalf of these several bodies. On the guaran-

tec of parents, guardians or teachers the Primary Producers’ Bank will advance the necessary funds to purchase the stock and the club will then grow Of its own accord. The procedure suggested for placing the first stock w that they be allotted by ballot, the successful child giving in exchange a note of hand backed by' Ins or her parent or guardian. Tt is claimed that there is much in the movement l „0n,,u0..d itself to those who be-

lieve that the maintenance of a fanproportion of the .best types of young men and women on the land is essential to the future prosperity <>f the country. At a time when the of the city lights and the artificial conditions of life in the larger cities and towns are undoubtedly luring many from the country, this -‘back to the land” movement should serve a verv useful purpose. ‘ A YEAR'S EXPORTS.

The export of New Zealand produce itUvao, lV.tafc !is excluding re-exports and specie, for the year ended June 30 last amounted to £54,184,540 " » c 1 compares with £45,457,491 in the previous year and £45,504.548 in 1920•2(5. •2(5. It will he seen that there was a substantial gain, and this gain " due principally to_the efforts of farmers aided by high prices. The export figures are so satisfactory because of an increase in the quantity of and the higher prices obtained The return from wool was £16,048,809, compared with £12,883.971 in the previous year. Butter returned £ll,315,913 against £9,761,537; meitt £10,269,470 against £8,541,492,

and cheese £6,860.310 against £5,330 570 These are the principal items of export and they account for over £44,000,000. Sheep skins returned £1,784,054, hides £1,149,731, sausage, skins £700,945, rabbit skins £oo_,C9O apples £490,870, timber £398,479’ hemp £391,759 and kauri gnm £•>4s 834. If the current season’s exports -turn as much as in the past year the country should bo very pros-