Young Farmers’ Sponsorship of Technical Instruction

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 92, 12 September 1947, Page 1

Young Farmers’ Sponsorship of Technical Instruction

l tsy Li. (j. Dixon, Vice-rresident, Kaitaia District Young Farmers’ Club] The Young Farmer’s Club movement realizes that it is generally admitted that ther farmer, chiefly by reason of his occupation, is more than usually inclined to a doubtful fiame of mind, known as rugged individualism. This attitude could be summarised as a general scepticism about ideas and - opinions which, although based on sound reason and j scientific fact, are regarded suspiciously because of a time-honoured | fetish that “it’s, alright in theory but | doubtful in practise.” It is true that this scepticism can occasionally be I justified by experience, but it is j equally true that on a great many occasions the primary producer’s reluctance to accept scientific achievement in the industry has reacted to his own detriment. As the future success of N.Z. primary industries now appears to be limited oaly by the extent to which technical experts and practising farmers co-operate, it becomes increasingly Important to impress upon the rising generation of farmers the necessity of such co-operation. The inability of the layman to absorb scientific information can be overcome largely by more frequent contact through lectures and demonstrations, with those working on the theoretical side of farming. With the co-ordination of practice and theory, the resulting progress cannot but react favourably to the man on the lqr.il. The Y.F.C. movemen4 has, and still is continuing, to work on these lines. The movement is fortunate in that technical experts, specialists in their ow)j fields, are showing willingness ■ to pass on their information to interested farmers, and it will be in the farmers’ <Kvn interests, both academic and financial, if the fullest advan- ■ tage is taken of this proffered cooperation In this fashion, science and research are coming into their own. There still . remains considerable scope for more active general co-or-dination of the scientific and the practical a co-ordination that will inevitably react to the lasting benefit of the primary- producer.

Violent Thunder Storm Sweeps Kaitaia Residents in various parts of Kaitaia Borough opined that the thunder storm which swept the district on Wednesday morning was the most severe experienced in this area for several years. The loudest roll seemed to approach from the North and 1 to expend its most shattering clap

in the Hills at the southern end of the town where one’ resident thought that structural damage had been done to her house. The thunder was accompanied by vivid sheet lightning and torrential rain which persisted for only a very few minutes. Temperatures dropped in early morning and remained cool throughout the day. Indications of rough weather on the coast were the large iocks of seagulls which were seen *t midday hovering about the outskirts of the town and settling on near-U- paddocks. Rainfall on Wednesday Rainfall recorded the 24 hours ending 9.30 a.qa. Thursday totalled .56 inches. Showers during Wednesday were few 1 and it is believed that a great part of the total fall occurred before noon when the Borough experienced X severe thunderstorm. Further Heavy Rain Last Night There was further heavy rain during the two hours before midnight last night and, although there was practically no fall ihroughout the day .33 inches were recorded for the 24 hours ending 9.30;*.m. this morning. Old Pupils’ Committee Meeting Miss E. Flinn, President of the Kaitaia District High School Old Pupils’ Association,' occupied the chair at Wednesday evening’s meeting. There was general discussion on the Association’s Banquet which was held in August .and tfce committee agreed that it had been one of the most suci cessful of the organisation’s annual functions. Several suggestions for future social events were received and considered but no definite arrangements for tjie first of these were made. . i No other general business was brought before -,the meeting and it was declared closed shortly before 10 p.m.