LOVE OF COUNTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 8

LOVE OF COUNTRY.

BOYS AND GIRLS’ AGRICULTURAL •' CLUBS. DESIRABILITY OF ENCOURAGEMENT (From Otoe Own Correspondent.) July 13. Boys ’and girls’ agricultural clubs have evoked - some criticism lately. It is 'generally recognised that in South Taranaki the clubs have been responsible for some good work, but some members of the executive are disappointed in the results achieved. At the annual meeting of the executive controlling the clubs at Hawera the question was discussed by Mr R. Syme, one of the Taranaki members of the Education . Board. In America, he said, all classes of BIS community took an interest in the work, wfierefta in New Zealand only a few farmers 'an,!! officers took any interest in it. In America junior banks bad been instituted, thus enabling young competitors to ; purchase good calves by advancing money. The president of the local bank was often president of the club. In New Zealand the Movement had to look to the Farmers’ Union for all its finance, and the union’s finances . were very limited. . Mr Symo suggested that the work ot the clubs might bo extended by instituting ’ poultry raising dubs which would have the advantage of being open to town children as welL-as to country children. The President (Mr R.. Dunn), in making ftp appeal for greater interest, contended .that the boys and girls’ agricultural clubs were inaugurated in an. endeavour to keep boys and girls in the country and stop the drift of population to the cities. Clubs were having this effect to some extent. If they could instil a love of the country and of animals into the young’ people, they would be doing a great thing for them. If they could create a love of country as •well as for country, they would also be creating patriotism. The clubs also taught children to be ’ industrious and; methodical, ind till these things were a great help in building up a young life.