Young Farmers’ Club Movement

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 121, 23 May 1941, Page 10

Young Farmers’ Club Movement

ANNUAL MEETING OF WELLINGTON DISTRICT Pilot Officer E. W. Barnett was in the chair at tho annual meeting of the Wellington Council of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. Delegates w r ere present from Wanganui, North Taranaki, Manawatu, ilorowhenua, Central Hawke's Bay and Northern Hawke’s Bay. In his annual review of the year’s activities the chairman said that it was only during the last 12 months that the movement had really felt the effects of depleted membership. However, they could be proud of the fact that approximately 700 members (over 10 per cent.) had enlisted voluntarily—surely as high a proportion as any organisation in the country. Conditions were tending to bring about decentralisation, which might be the only method by which the movement could i4eep active during the war. Some had suggested that the movement might not be able to keep going with the heavy drain on membership, but Pilot Officer Barnett said he could not agree. With a maintenance of interest and activity through the district committees us the main focal point and concentration on the enlistment of younger members between the ages of 14 and 20 years, there was no reason why tho movement should not bo maintained. Indeed, it was vital that it should be, for when the war was won there would be many ways in which such an organisation could assist with rehabilitation of the primary industries and agriculture. The chairman made an appeal to those who would not be going overseas to strengthen the niovoment. There had been a decline in the number of clubs but not as great as might have been expected and those who had managed to keep going were to be congratulated. Tho financial position was very satisfactory and the building up of a reserve for many purposes at the end of the war was a matter to which members should give earnest consideration. The chairman spoke in appreciation of assistance given by the Department of Agriculture, tho fields superintendent (Mr. J. C. Hamblyn) and district secretaries. Mr. J. C. Hamblyn saw bright prospects despite the war if efforts were made to recruit the young men between 14 and 20 years. Borne clubs had already achieved much along that line. Pilot Officer Barnett announced that ho would not be able to seek re-election as chairman and the meeting placed on record appreciation of “a fine spot of work” by their chairman over two years of office. Air. W .G. Brownlie (Wairoa) was elected to the position., Other officers elected were: Vice-chair-man, Mr. K. W. R. Mitchell (Woodville); honorary secretary adn treasurer, Mr. 11. do O. Chamberlain (Palmerston North); co-opted members of council, Messrs. W. F. McLaren (Masterton), A. J. Galpin (Bunuythorpe), E. W. Barnett (Tokorangi) and C. E. Vile (Bulls); emergency committee, officers and fields superintendent (ex officio); Messrs. V. F. Toulman (Wanganui), R. O. Gloyn (Rongotea) and P. Thcvcnard (Kimbolton); delegates to Dominion executive, tho chairman and Messrs. W. F. McLaren (Masterton), K. W. R. Mitchell (Woodville) and S, J. Avery (Bulls); honorary auditor, Mr. P. G. Cope. Tributes were paid to the services of the honorary secretary, Mr. H. de O. Chamberlain. It was decided that there be no Wellington council major activity during the coming year, the matter of judging competitions, trials, sports, debating, etc., being left to the district committees with emphasis on junior competitions. There was a recommendation to district committees to foster iriter-club experimental plot competitions. Haystack building competitions were also advocated. The value of road organisers was stressed and clubs are to be asked to adopt the system to ensure good attendances at meetings.