YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22905, 12 June 1936, Page 15

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION SECOND ANNUAL MEETING The second annual meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers' Club 3 was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the federation. Mr A. C Cameron, president of the federation, presided over a representative gathering, delegates coming from all over Otago and Canterbury. Those present were: Messrs A. C. Cameron, S. D. Blomfield, C. F. Jones, M. Kinaston, R. Patton, J. Fahey, J. Young, A. Balfingall,, E. Wraver, J. Johnston, J. G. Anderson, G. Kaahu, R. J. E. Smith, S. P. Cameron, J. Wilson, J. Cuthbertson, J. Gallagher, J. Hall, J. Clearwater, F. Glover, W. Robertson, D. J. Ross, M. Austin, and J. M. Smith. EXECUTIVE'S REPORT.

Meetings of the General Executive Committee have been held at irregular intervals throughout the year. The federation was formed on March 16, 1934, when there were three clubs in existence. During the first year most of the increase occurred in the South Island, and we commenced last year with 54 clubs. This year progress has been slower, as it has been the 'policy of the Executive Committee to consolidate its position in the various districts organised rather than to increase the number of clubs to such an extent that their number in any district would be greater than could be catered for by that partictlar district organisation. We have 84 clubs affiliated to the federation, and details of nine more clubs recently formed in the North Island have yet to be sent in. The average membership per club is 22.7. This will make our membership over the 2000 mark, which shows practically 100 per cent, increase over last year's figures, partly due to the increase in the number of clubs, and also to the increasing membership in the individual clubs.

Reports of club meetings and other activities have been regularly received. To take an average over 40 clubs an analysis of their reports reveals the following position:—The average number of meetings held per club during the year was 8.6. Of these, lecturers were arranged for C 4.4 per cent, of the meetings, 19.2 per cent, being from the Department of Agriculture, both live stock and field divisions, and 45.2 per cent, from other sources. We have been keeping a close touch with the various subjects dealt with at club meetings, and even through the difficult period of a general election we have not found one club where there has been any infringement of our rule with reference to political or religious discussion.

Field days have always been considered of primary importance by the federation. Some excellent days have been arranged this year in all provinces. District Survey Club competitions, which were inaugurated last year, proved successful, 12 clubs sending in entries which were all of an exceptionally high standard. The Moa Flat Young Farmers' Club won the cup presented by the Point Blank Press Company with a paper on " Fat Lamb Production." This year the indications are that the competition which is now in two classes will be even a greater success.

During the past year broadcasts on items of interest to club members have been given from stations 3YA and 4YA. Several experimental plots were laid down by the Agricultural Department during 1934-35 in charge of various clubs. These have been very useful during the past year for demonstration purposes, but their full value will not be realised until the results of several years' observations have been tabulated. The General Executive Committee has recommended that group committees should be formed in areas where four or five clubs are handily situated and have common interests. The committee? would consist of, say, two representa tives of each club in the area and any advisory members in that district. Their object would be to co-ordinate the work of clubs within the group, arrange interclub debates, arrange combined group field days or special meetings where an outstanding lecturer is available for only one night or a programme of lectures where a lecturer may be visiting the district for more than one evening. This should help in reducing travelling for lecturers, give better co-ordination amongst clubs and assist weaker clubs within the group by allowing for interclub visits.

The question of interclub visits has been discussed by the executive during the year, and these should be arranged during the present winter. The execu tive feels that both interclub visits within groups and intergroup visits should be encouraged, to promote a healthy rivalry between clubs or groups. Various other club activities have been instituted in different districts. Plough ing matches, dog trials and stock jttdg ing have all received attention. Interest is being taken in the federation by other organisations. Special classes for stock judging have been arranged by various A. and P. Societies. Some collie clubs have put on a special class where only members of the federation are eligible to compete. The Otago Provincial Council of the federation is represented on the Otago Farm Competitions Committee by the president and the general secretary, and active cooperation with organisations with com-' mon purposes is of. material benefit to our federation.

During the year close touch has been kept with the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs in Great Britain We had to decline an invitation to send a team to the Young; Farmers' International Cattle Judging Competition to be held in England during the Royal Show this year. We hope that in the future we may be represented there. A suggestion from the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs that an Empire Federation should be formed has received consideration by the Executive Committee, but no finality has been reached on this subject. An interchange of ideas between the various federations within the Empire would no doubt be of the utmost value.

Several clubs have organised special wool-classing classes, which are held regularly during the winter months, about 12 lectures completing the course. These are separate from, and do not take the place of, any regular meeting. Special fees are, of course, charged, but in some eases these have been subsidised from club funds. Classes in different agricultural subjects suitable to district interests can do an immense amount of good organised by clubs along these lines.

From balance sheets received from 38 clubs it is found that the average credit balance per club at the end of the year's activities is £4 10s Id. The actual amounts vary from lOd to £27 13s 4d, but by far the greater number are round about the average stated. As it is impossible for clubs to cover their expenses from subscriptions alone, this shows the interest members have taken in their clubs in fostering methods for increasing club funds and the allowing of further club activities.

The executive received a very generous offer from the Lincoln College Old Boys' Association to provide a half scholarship available at Lincoln College for the diploma course for a member of the federation in the South Island. This offer has been accepted by the executive, and details will be forwarded to all clubs concerned in due course. The scholarship will be available for 1937. The adoption of the report was moved

by the chairman, who said that it refleeted a very satisfactory position in the South Island. With the exception of Westland, clubs had been established in all provinces. In all, some 60 clubs were functioning in the South Island, and undoubtedly if they could have coped with the work they could have established a further 30 clubs. This brought him to the question of the future of the federation. At the outset they were given a definite indication that Government assistance would be forthcoming, but unfortunately, owing to various reasons, delays had occurred. Their representations, however, had now borne fruit, and he was in a position to place before them an offer which would mean a wonderful thing for the future of the federation, and one which would ensure that the movement would proceed on sound lines, free from the present anxiety of lack of finance. SCHEME OF REORGANISATION.

Mr Cameron went on to outline a proposal for the reorganisation of the federation, which had been submitted by the Department of Agriculture. Under this proposal the work of the federation would become a major activity of the department, and its 50 odd outside instructors would become organisers for the movement.

Mr Smith, district superintendent of the fields division, explained fully the department's intentions. After discussion it was moved by Mr Ross and seconded by Mr Robertson that the executive should be empowered to finalise a scheme as soon as possible after having made further inquiries along certain lines. OFFICERS RE-ELECTED. On the motion of Mr Hall, seconded by Mr Weaver, it was decided to re-elect all the present provincial officials pending any alteration in the organisation.