MODERN FARMING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 177, 26 June 1935, Page 5

MODERN FARMING

VALUE OF CLUBS. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. WELLINGTON, June 20. The potential value to New Zealand of the young farmers’ clubs, particularly in assimilating the results of agricultural research, was outlined last night to the Royal Agricultural Society by Mr A. C. Cameron, president of the clubs’ federation. “Throughout New Zealand wo see some queer comparisons,” Mr Cameron said. “It is possible to find farmers who know nothing of modern developments, farming exactly as their fathers did before them; scorning and distrusting what they term ‘newtangled’ methods. In the same district there may be farmers who are abreast of the latest in scientific research and who are turning recently-acquired knowledge to good account. • “The irony of the position is that the New Zealand Government Dairy and Meat Boards, breed societies and private co-operative enterprise have spent tens of thousands of pounds in research work. The great agricultural research stations in Great Britain and elsewhere have done the same. The results of this research are available to us, and yet we have still to find tlio best medium of getting it assimilated bv the men who should, above all others, possess the knowledge the rank and file farmer. “I firmly believe that through the young farmers’ clubs this problem stands a better chance of being solved than by any other means. Although there are many notable exceptions, it is a fact that the average elder farmer finds it increasingly difficult to adapt himself to new ideas. I feel, therefore, that we must concentrate upon the younger men, and this is where the young farmers’ chibs come in. Young fellows meeting fortnightly or monthly at their local young farmers’ club for the definite purpose of discussing agricultural problems of their own districts must get a great deal of value out of such meetings.” . Fifty-two clubs had been formed in the South Island anff six clubs in the North Island, where considerable progress was expected during the next 12 months, Mr Cameron said.