“WHITE COLLAR JOBS.”

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1141, 24 July 1930, Page 5

“WHITE COLLAR JOBS.”

CALF CLUB MOVEMENT. “ What Are Farmers Doing ? ” « Critics have stated that a scho'ol of the Matamata type tends to take boys from the land and send them into white collar occupations,” stated Mr. J. F. Wells, headmaster of the Matamata Junior High School, in reporting to the committee on Monday. “If this institution is doing anything of the land it is not truly performing its function, which is: (1) To give children, as far as possible, the educational requirements needed for the efficient carrying out of their life’s work; (2) to give them the necessary mental equipment and incentive to make the very best 'use of their leisure hours; (3) to teach them to serve others by freely placing any knowledge or executive ability they possess at the disposal of local, civic and social bodies or associations; (4) to encourage children to follow the life’s work for which they are best fitted as regards ability and interest. “ This means that in rural districts like this we should give farmers’ children every encouragement to remain on the land. They thus enter a productive occupation, and one for which they are more fitted than others as regards farming experience and ability. It is of the utmost importance, however, that they should be intensely interested in farm work, and we teachers who are unjustly blamed for taking children off the land and sending them into unproductive occupations might very well ask: ‘ What are the farmers themselves doing to keep them on thel land? Have they made farm life as attractive and as interesting as possible to their children by giving them some practical incentive or have they made farm life a mere drudgery to them by making them toil night and day without hope of reward of any description ? ’ The farmer who gives hiis child something to look forward to, some incentive by way of ownership or future reward, need have no fear. “ I can say emphatically that we teachers are ready to do everything possible to get children to go upon the land provided they are fitted for and interested in the work. They and their parents can choose which course they, like at school and we are read to advise; in any case there is no course that does not include agriculture and woodwork for boys, and heme science and cookery for girls, so that the school is doing what it can; to do more we must have the services of highly trained specialist teachers.

“ The Calf Club movement aims at creating an intelligent interest in farm work, and if the fanners themselves think the movement a worthy one they can rely on the wholehearted co-operation of the Junior High School staff, for it is the special function of a school of this type to fit children for and interest them in the work they are to take up. The Calf Club certainly seems to provide the necessary interest in farm work, for each child member is to own and rear a good type of calf and keep all records in regard to it. It is hoped, thus, not only to give boys and girls some incentive to remain on the land, but also to make for more scientific farming by teaching the young people the most effective and economic methods of rearing and feeding stock as well as instructing them how to judge and select good dairy cattle and showing them what care and attention to stock will do in raising the quality of the herds and increasing butter-fat production.” The chairman stated it was a very fine idea to have calf clubs, which had been successful in America and in some parts of New Zealand. Mr. F. Banks stated the A. and P. Association had not got very far with the idea, but Mr. Wells had met the committee and promised wholehearted support. A meeting to settle the matter would be held this week.

Mr. Wells stated that enquiries amongst the children showed that it appeared the movement was not receiving the support it might from farmers. So far about 20 children had decided to enter, of whom 12 to 15 would supply their own calves. It seemed that opposition came because there was too much detail, but he felt that the rules could be simplified. Mr. Mockridge stated that he did not think there was any particular opposition, but most children had to milk cows night and morning and got a sickener of it. Mr. Seed stated that one obstacle was the lack of marked calves. Not qvery farmer tested, and those who ■ • v'.' " ■ ' \ (Continued in Nmst Column)

did were not always anxious to give away a marked calf. Mr. Mockridge stated he intended to give his children some stud sheep if there was such a class. In America they had sheep and pig clubs. Mr. Wright stated the club was one of the best moves that, could be made in connection with the High School. Theory was all right, but practical effort was also necessary. He thought many children had too much to do around the milking-shed already. The committee should see that every effort was made to assist in keeping boys on the farm. He moved that the committee give the calf club movement every assistance possible. Mr. Mockridge seconded the motion, stating that the idea behind the movement was an essential one in such a country as New Zealand. N The motion was carried unanimously.