YOUNG FARMERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 290, 5 November 1938, Page 16

YOUNG FARMERS

MEETING OF COUNCIL. STEADY PROGRESS RECORDED. Taking advantage of the presence in Palmerston North for "the Spring Show of a large number of younger members of the farming community, the Wellington Council of the New Zealand Federation of Y r oiing Farmers’ Clubs met yesterday afternoon. Mr H. M. Linklater occupied the chair, and there were about thirty delegates present from all parts of the lower half of the North Island. Districts represented were Alanawatu, North Taranaki, South Taranaki, Wanganui, Wairarapa, Southern and Northern Hawke’s Bay, and Poverty Bay. The New Zealand organising secretary (Mr S. Freeman) and the secretary of the council (Mr E. E. Sherwood) were in attendance.

Mr Linklater extended a welcome to the delegates, stressing the need for full representation to ensure efficient co-ordination. Congratulations could be extended on the increased membership, but there were in the district five times as many potential members, who should be included. Mr Linklater extended a special welcome to Mr W. E. McLaren, immediate past-president of the New Zealand Federation, on his return to good health. INCREASED MEMBERSHIP.

A convincing record of progress was furnished in Mr Sherwood’s report, which stated that since the inaugural meeting of the council in June nine clubs had been formed in the area, bringing the total up to 66 as follow : North Taranaki G, South Taranaki 9, Wanganui 6, Manawatu 21, Wairarapa 11, Southern Hawke’s Bay 5, Northern Hawke’s Bay 4, Poverty Bay 4. “The membership now totals approximately 2000, which is, however, far short of the potential membership of eight to ten thousand young men living in the rural districts under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Council. It would appear that, in most districts, there are a number of possible localities not vet covered by this fine movement. It would appear then, that, at this stage of the organisation, we are faced with two vital phases: The maintenance of interest among the present members, and the gathering into the movement of the other thousands of prospective members. To my mind, plenty ofijood publicity can help us well on the way,’’ added Mr Sherwood. “It is pleasing to record that, since the last meeting of the council, the following district committees have been formed: North Taranaki, Northern Hawke’s Bay, Southern Hawke’s Bay. Thus each district in this area has now its own committee. Much praise is due to the members of the various committees for their fine work, and we owe a big debt of gratitude to the district secretaries and the fields superintendent for the very excellent manner that thov are carrying out so much extra work. FINANCE.

“Two cheques, one for £sl 4s 2d, and the other for £1 Os Id, have been received from the New Zealand Federation, the former being our allocation from the 1937 Government grant, and the latter is the surplus from the Wellington Educational Week, kindly donated to us; £47 17s. has been oliocated to 11 of the 13 members ol tlie council who attended the fourth annual meeting of the federation, and 14s 2d to petty cash, leaving a total of £4 3s Id in the Post Office Savings Bank. Two items of income yet to come to hand are our share of the 1938 Government grant, and the affiliation fees for the clubs in "this area. I am advised by Mr Freeman that he has received 42 guineas, but as there are 66 clubs in the area, it would appear that some clubs are not carrying out their full obligations. SUGGESTED DEVELOPMENTS.

“From personal observation and discussion there would appear to be several points worthy of inclusion in our activities, and several items which could be more easily improved at this stage of our membership than when we have 10,000 or more members throughout the Dominion. This movement is such a splendid one that L feel we should do everything in our power now to build up club tradition lor the future. Such things as encouraging correct procedure at meetings, the correct keeping of papers, hooks, photographs, etc., so that clubs may keep permanent records ol their activities, the encouraging of clubs to acquire their own club-rooms, etc., and thus help towards making our organisation a permanent one—these points all merit our attention at this juncture. I have heard comments about our badge, and the badge on our blazers, and there would appear to be room 1 or considerable improvement. I leel that we should encourage more to wear these at club meetings and functions. The possibility of winners of national championships being awarded blazers is worth considering. Several persons have spoken to me on tlie subject of making members realise more fully the privilege of belonging to the movement. Several suggestions- have come forward, such as an initiation cereinonv for new members, an oath of allegiance to the movement at large gatherings, a short ceremony at the commencement of each club meeting. Perhaps the movement could have its own song and a motto. Possibly considerable interest could he aroused by running competitions among members on the points I have raised. f feel that we should encourage the inviting of other members of the farming community to lectures, etc. It is pleasing to note the greater interest that the general public are beginning to show towards the movement. Everywhere one notes a greater appreciation of the vital part that our organisation is going to take in the future agricultural history of our country, and it- can be confidently stated that the movement is definitely coming into its own.” AMBITIONS REALISED. Air J. H. Bremner congratulated Air Sherwood on his comprehensive and thoughtful report. As an original member of the North Island council, lie was inspired by the present meeting, for ambitions were being realised. He felt that many of the suggestions ■ in the report would provide a germ for thought among the clubs. Mr McLaren spoke in similar vein. Mr Freeman congratulated Air Sherwood on his report and the council on the excellent work being done. There were to-day 171 clubs, an increase of eleven in two months, 101 being in the North Island. The total membership was about 4500, while in the Wellington area there were between 1600 and 1700 members. Within another year there would probably ( he a membership of 6000. The Wel- | lington council had a fine record and [had probably reaped more success than Iliad been secured elsewhere, hut in ! every district the movement was making headway. Arr K. W. Cooper reported briefly -on the conference held at Christchurch. I FEDERATION MEETINGS. I Tlie Southern Hawke’s Bay executive forwarded a remit that executive icpresentation at annual lederation incet‘ings be two members instead of three.

It was claimed that travelling expenses would thus he reduced without efficiency being impaired. It was thought that representation at council meetings should remain at three. Air T. P. Blyth supported the remit, stating that it was lelt an advisory delegate was unnecessary at such meetings. Air Freeman pointed out that the annual meeting comprised delegations from the four councils, so that the remit would require rewording and the constitution would require alteration. There* was no direct representation from district committees.

Air Bremner thought that the matter should, at the present stage, lie left to the discretion of tlie committees. He did not think advisory members would claim expenses; he had not known them to do so. It was decided to advise that the remit was not in order. The Northern Hawke’s Bay executive wrote suggesting that tlie constitution of the federation he altered so as to make provision for the election of an advisory president and a chairman, the latter to he an active member of a club. Also, that the constitution he altered so that the chairmen of the four councils he active club members. Mr Linklater thought it would he a:i ungrateful gesture towards the pioneers of tlie movement. Mr AV. G. Brownlie stated that it had been felt that the raising of the age liffiit to 30 years had widened the scope for officers to lie elected from the younger men. There was no thought of lack of gratitude towards the older members.

Mr C. J. Hamblyn and Air Bremner pointed out that the remit was superfluous as the younger men would automatically' assume office. i Air Freeman said the general feeling was that the older men’s services should he retained while the younger men were being trained for the positions.

The remit was rejected. ALLOCATION Ol 1 ' FUNDS,

Air Freeman recalled that it h been deeiueu tuui uuiuuiiuii fees be returned to the councus. At tne next meeting- of the lederation consideration would be given tlie matter of the writing off ol outstanding lees of some of the older clubs. Of the Government grant of £SOO tlie \\ ellington council would receive £IUU, but this had not come to hand.

i Mr Hamblyn pointed out that the | affiliation fees, it fully paid, would total £66, which with the Government ‘grant and £4 in hand would bring the amount to £l7O. In future the council could simply collect the lees and other receipts, and distribute them to the clubs on a pro rata basis; make payments to the district committees for subsequent distribution as they decide; or retain the money and pay delegates’ expenses direct, leaving only a small amount in hand. He thought the first of the three alternatives was i tlie most satisfactory proposition. As l an organisation the council did not require finance if the clubs would undertake district activity. However, Mr Hamblyn’s plan would possibly he upset if a greater Government grant , were made, hut overtures in that direction rhust coiiie from the young farmers themselves.

A resolution Was adopted urging district committees to take steps to collect outstanding fees. It was Mn decided that an amount equivalent to the affiliation fees collected in the van . ous districts be paid back'to the district councils. Air Hamblyn moved that the council tills year allocate the Government subsidy on a club basis to district committees, tlie committtes to be responsible for the distribution. Air Brownlie moved an amendment that the council retain the grant and pay portion of the delegates’ expenses, the remainder to he expended as it thought fit. Tlie amendment was rejected and Air Hamblyn’s motion was carried. It was decided . that the existing emergency committee act as a finance committee to make allocations and report back to the council. The committee was instructed to prepare a statement of finances required for the coming yeVir. The .Wairarapa committee made representations for a grant of £25. Mr Bremner pressed its claims, stating that, there was a credit of "only Us in hand. Wairarapa had been faced with a great deal of expenditure and in view of the generosity extended the Manawatu felt that it was entitled to consideration from the Government grant. Air Linklater pointed out that the present council had endeavoured to make fair distribution, and in the change from the North Island council Wairarapa had -been unfortunate to miss securing a grant. Air L. Gardiner outlined a proposal for a tour ,of Great Britain and the Continent in 1939, stressing that advantage such a tour presented. The Federated Young Farmers’ Clubs in England had agreed to welcome visiting young farmers from New Zealand. It was decided to refer the matter to the Dominion executive. GENERAL.

Permission was given the A\ airarapa committee to conduct a stock-judging competition next winter, on a provincial basis. Air Bremner appealed for support from other committees, stating that endeavours would he made to select a date suitable to them; the Point Blank Cup would be at issue. It was decided to recommend the Dominion executive to consider a new design for the blazer badge. Air Hamblyn stresesd the advantages of observing a proper initiation ceremony for new members, which would add to the impression made on nominees. Such a ceremony would probably vary in different districts. The speaker also suggested that the example of the Rotary Club be followed in fining members for nonattendance. Air Brownlie said Northern Hawke’s Bay members were in favour of the adoption of professional stationery for the use of the federation and councils.—The suggestion was rel erred to the Dominion executive.

Air Linklater indicated the likelihood of the Alanawatu area conducting another shearing competition next year. Air-Linklater closed the meeting by expressing appreciation to the delegates for their co-operation.