Young Farmers Losing “Inferior Complex”

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1939, Page 3

Young Farmers Losing “Inferior Complex”

The inferiority complex which seemed to be the heritage of the young man on the land was being overcome largely through the organising work devolving upon members of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

Mr S. Freeman, of Wellington, organising secretary of the movement, said tnat at the termination of a week’s visit to Northland district committees.

He was referring to the wider aspects of the club movement and the encouragement of social and recreational aspects, which were found to be the life blood of the movement.

While the primary objective would always be to instruct and educate in primary production, the aim was also to improve the whole environment of youth in rural communities. Growth of the Young Farmers’ Club movement tended to revive the oldtime social life and entertainment of the countryside, and to offset the attractiveness of the towns.

Hold Young People in Country,

“If nothing else is achieved but to hold the young people in the country and stop the drift to the towns, then the effort will be justified,’’ said MiFreeman.

In the conduct of their meetings and in debating, young farmers were gaining self-confidence, and the future leaders of the rural community were being sorted out. Originated six years ago and operating under the present organisation for the past three years, the movement now had a membership of 6000 with branches in every provincial district, ranging from 23 in a small radius in the Manawatu to one formed recently at Murchison, the first in Westland. in Northland 17 clubs were operating. Whangarei centre controlled lour, Kaitaia five, Barga-

ville five and Warkworth three

The movement in the North was making satisfactory progress, especially when travelling difficulties and the scattered nature of the centres were taken into account. Keem Northlanders.

Mr Freeman visited the Keriksri club, latest to be formed, at,id met the Kaitaia district committee at Oruru, the Northern Wairoa committee at Rtiawai and the Whangarei committee here on Monday.

Ho was accompanied by the District Instructor m Agriculture (Mr E. L. Glanville), who has done much to foster the Northland clubs.

Members contacted were very keen and clubs were fortunate in having secured the interest of particularly good older farmers, who were assisting in every way possible in arranging field days on their properties and helping to stimulate enthusiasm.

As an example of how the Young Farmers’ movement could be of public utility, Mr Freeman mentioned cooperation with the Councils of Primary Production formed to assist the war effort.

The national president of the movement sat on the Dominion Council. in many districts club members were assisting to overcome labour difficulties by providing seasonal help for harvesting, shearing, etc. Memorial Trees. Another scheme embraced the planting by clubs and club members of trees in public grounds, etc., as a national Centennial memorial, the trees to be supplied through the federation by the Department of Internal Affairs and made available for the 1940 planting season. Main purpose of Young Farmers’ Clubs was to study local problems connected with their industry, presentation of lectures and taking advantage of knowledge gleaned by experienced farmers. District committees co-ordinated the work of clubs, and arranging district field days and other functions to bind the clubs tn common Interest.

As an example of the work being dene, Mr Freeman quoted stock judging competitions and the running of farm schools and educational weeks. Whangarei A. and P. Society Praised. Mr Freeman referred appreciatively to the decision recently made by the Whangarei A. and P. executive to appoint from Young Farmers’ Club members an assistant steward in each section.

By close contact with judges and owners, valuable experience was gained. while A. and P. Societies, many of whom were also appointing associate judges, were profiting also by training their officials of the future.

Arranging of inter-provincial tours was also an important feature of the work, Mr Freeman said.

There was a proposal afoot to establish a camp for young farmers attending the Centennial Exhibition.

This would accommodate 100 at a time and it was proposed that it should be kept open for two months, but unless 300 visitors could be assured it would not be held. EPIDEMICS AND WAR Epidemics exact a greater toll than armed hostilities. There are always millions of germs that must be guarded against. New Zealand’s strongest protection against colds and ’flu is Baxters Lung Preserver.

Always? take care, always take “Baxters,” the proved remedy. Bast seller everywhere in 4/6, 2/6 and 1/6 sizes. El