A PETITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10851, 17 March 1921, Page 7

A PETITION

BOYS' AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

MR W. STUART WILSON ACTIVE.

The following petition, from Mr W. Stuart Wilson, who has taken a close interest in the matter ot Boys Agricultural Clubs, has been presented to Parliament by Colonel Mitchell, M.P.: — “Whe'.eas during last session of Parliament a petition was presented praying for the promotion of boys' agricultural clubs a-; a means of increasing and assuring tho prosperity of Now Zealand in the future, and wherfias, in accordance with the player of the potation and tho recommendations of a Parliamentary Committee a sum of-.£5000 was voted by the House of Representatives for the establishment of boys* agricultural olubs, your petitioner declares that action should have been taken as soon as possible br the. Minister for Agriculture to give effect to tho decision of the Government and ths House uf Representatives. The delay in this natter means an immeasurable national Loss. It is admitted by all thoughtful people that, despite tho present decline in the value of primary produce, the prosperity of New Zealand demands a vigorous observance of the axioms of production, more production, and still more production.' It is only by an increase of production that the enormous direct and indirect costs of the war can be met, and it is only bv increase of production that a good standard of living can he maintained by the Dominion's people. It is admitted by all classes of the community that wise expenditure on the establishment of boys’ agricultural olubs would be an investment which would repay itself a thousand-fold. Procrastination with such a project is the worst kind of false economy. Your petitioner hopes earnestly that the House of Representative*: will direct the Minister for Agriculture to carry out its decision without further delay."