YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 3 May 1937, Page 8

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

NGATIMOTI BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS The annual meeting of the Ngatimoti Branch of the Young Farmers’ Clubs was held in the Sunday School room this week, when the election of officers resulted: Chairman, Mr J. Wills; secre-tary-treasurer, Mr H. Helm. Mr Stringer of Ngatimoti was appointed president. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr I. Llewellin for his excellent work as past president. In reply, Mr Llewellin recalled the beginning of the club at Ngatimoti and touched on the difficulties that had arisen from the lack of central organisation, concluding by stressing the value of the clubs and urging members not only to attend themselves but also to each concentrate on bringing a new member along.

Mr Stringer was then welcomed as president and .said he was convinced of the value to young farmers of the club movement.

Mr Stringer pointed out the difficulty in getting many of the senior farmers to speak at meetings, yet it had been found that had some of these “silent members” voiced their thoughts, better arrangements could have been made. The training that young farmers obtained through speaking at their club meetings and through bearing office, fitted them to take a leading place in affairs of the country.

“I am pleased,” concluded Mr Stringer, “to be associated with the Ngatimoti Club as president, and shall do all I am able, to further the interests of the club.” EDUCATIONAL WEEK The evening lecturer, Mr H. de O. Chamberlain, B. Agr. Sc. N.D.A., Instructor in Agriculture, commenced by explaining the programme of the Educational Week to be held from the 13th to the 19th May, and he appealed for at least 10 members from the Ngatimoti Club to attend the week.

Turning to the subject of his address, Mr Chamberlain said he had selected “Strains in Pasture Plants” because grass is without doubt, the world’s most important crop to-day. In New Zealand there are over 18,000,000 acres of sown grass—some good and some bad. “Were it not for grass,” the speaker said, “our life would be an uncomfortable affairs. With no grass there would be no meat, no butter, milk or wool.” Unfortunately, very many farmers were indifferent as to the type of seed they sowed and much money and time has been lost by failure to recognise the difference between good and bad types of grass. Time would not permit of examination of all species of grass and so he limited himself to two basic and most important elements of the permanent pasture.—Ryegrass and clover. The instructor then proceeded to show slides which clearly depicted the difference between good and bad types of perennial rye, red and white clover, commenting on each slide as it flashed on to the screen. In concluding his lecture, Mr Chamberlain summed up the needs for a good and truly permanent pastures as folows:—Certified seed, correct manuring, hard grazing. A vote of thanks was accorded the speaker. MOUTERE BRANCH FUTURE PROGRAMME ARRANGED The annual meeting of the Moutere branch of Young Farmers’ Clubs was held in the Harakeke School. The following officers were elected: President, Mr R. Teece; chairman, Mr G. G. Kemp; secretary-treasurer, Mr C. J. Teece. It was decided that the chairman should represent the club on the District Executive Committee. The next two meetings were set down for the sth and 26th May respectively, and thence fortnightly until the end of July. It was decided that in future the meetings should be held alternately in each end of the district. A lecture by Mr R. Teece, whose subject would be “Points in Conducting a Meeting,” was arranged for the meeting on the sth May. This subject, being most important for members of the Young Farmers’ Clubs, and fitting for the beginning of the season, all members and intending members were urged to be present. The club decided to commence regular social activities, and a committee consisting of the chairman, secretary and Mr K. Thomas, with power to add was elected. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring officers, and the new chairman, in thanking members for his election, said that he realised the responsibility of his new position. . “It is evident,” said Mr Kemp “that the Young Farmers’ Clubs movement is extending successfully and rapidly and it will be no fault of mine, as chairman, if the Moutere Branch does not keep in step with the foremost.”

Mr H. de O. Chamberlain, Instructor in Agriculture, addressed the meeting on the subject of the Educational Week to be held in Nelson from the 13th to the 19th May. The Instructor warmly complimented the club on the excellent way in which the meeting was conducted.

“There is one man here,” said Mr Chamberlain, "who deserves the thanks of the Provincial Executive and that is your very able president, Mr R. Teec. There is no doubt, from the efficient way the business is attended to, that Mr Teece not only knows his business, but also has taken great pains to impart his knowledge to the club members.” The speaker then explained the programme of the Educational Week, and appealed for at least 10 members from the Moutere district to attend.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Chamberlain for his presence at the meeting.