AGRICULTURAL TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17456, 28 April 1920, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL TRAINING.

CLUBS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.

ADVOCACY OF THE SCHEME,

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION-.] WELHNGTON. Tuesday "Tho organisation of agricultural- clubs for bov3 and girls is regarded in the United States and Canada as the "nfost" profitable work that State agricultural officers can undertake," said Captain W. R. Birks, of the Australian Imperial Force. Captain Birks is a member of the staff of the New South Wales Agricultural Department, and he recently made a tour of North America in search of information while on leave prior to demobilisation. He was particularly impressed with the development of the agriculturii club scheme -in the United States and Canada, and is strongly of opinion that the movement ought to b e fostered-in this country. Captain Birks mentioned .that he had met Mr. W. Stuart Wilson, who had been takjng a prominent part in the introduction of the agricultural clubs scheme to. .New Zealand. Mr. Wilson had prepared a booklet showing what had been done already, quoting the opinions of some of New Zealand's foremost citizens and suggesting that the Prince of Wales should be asked to use his great personal influence for the encouragement, of boys agricultural clubs throughout the British Empire. The suggestion. said Captain Plirks, was attractive. His own observations bad convinced him that the scheme -was worthy of all the commendation given it and of all the support thatcould be accorded to it.