CALF CLUBS

Northern Advocate, 10 December 1936, Page 6

CALF CLUBS

Though Northland was rather slow in adopting the calf, club movement, it is certainly to be congratulated upon the enthusiasm with which the school children throughout the territory have entered into the spirit of the enterprise. Reports which have appeared in recent issues of the ‘‘Northern Advocate” have revealed the progress made in far northern schools, and it has been very pleasing to note the extent to which Maori pupils have competed with their pakeha brethren. This is a cheering sign, and speaks eloquently for the success of farming by both races in the years to come. The calf club movement is to be heartily commended, for it does the very thing which requires to be done if interest in farming is to be inculcated in the present generation of school children: it catches them young: It is safe to say that the love and understanding of animals which the clubs stimulate will do a very great deal to direct their attention to the claims of agricultural and pastoral pursuits as a life work. In this way, apart ’altogether from the teehnincal inform mation the young obtain, the members of the clubs cannot but have implanted in them a desire to take up a work, upon the scientific and enthusiastic carrying on of which depends the development of this Dominion. The clubs in various districts havehad their prize-winners se-

leeted by judges, who have combined criticism with instruction, and tomorrow the championship of the Whangarei district is to be held at Kensington Park. It is good to know that the entries arc of a very satisfactory nature, and it is to be hoped that the general public will, as far as they can, show practical interest in the parade by attending at the park. Manifestation of public interest in the operations of the calf clubs would do much to encourage the young owners of calves. People in the country have j evinced keen interest in district parades, and the townspeople of an important centre like Whangarei will help the clubs very materially if they will do the same by attending in large numbers tomorrow. We hope that when the movement develops still further, it will be possible for something in the nature of a royal show to be held, when distinct champions throughout Northland will take part in a champion of champions competition.