YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13640, 26 August 1937, Page 4

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS.

AGE LIMIT RECOMMENDED. DISCUSSION AT MASTERTON. Electric Telegraph—Press Association MASTERTON, August 24 The opinion that if there were a hard and fast age lmit restriction on niembers of th© young farmers clubs some of the organisations lose members, was made by Air \\ F. McLaren. president, at the meeting to-day of the Wairarapa district committee. The discussion, was prompted by a letter from the organising-seeretary. Air S. Freeman, which stated that the following remit had come forward at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. “That the age* lin.it of club members be raised to 30 year-. The letter mentioned that the remit had been freely discussed and that some members were of the opinion that a leavening of older members was of great value to a club, particularly m its early stages. Others, however, considered that an < xtension of the age limit might result in a, restriction of free speech by the younger members. One suggestion involved the extending of the age limit to 30 years during the first two vears of each individual club with a reversion to the 25 years’ limit thereafter. After remarking that he knew of one club that would lose halt of its members if there were an age restriction Air AfcLaren said that if :* man of 26 or 27 were keen he did not think he should be barred. Mr S. A. La Roche said there should be some elasticity, and suggested that an age limit should l>e laid down with certain pro* i"o<. 2t could be stipulated that there should be no members over 30 years and that those over 25 should not have executive positions. The control 1 ng body in the district should have some say as to the membership oi the various clubs, and he suggested that a rule should be framed to give the district committee power to allow older members to enter the dubs.

The secretary. Air X. Lament, said that at the previous meeting it luid been ruled that no members o\ 30 and none under 25 should hold executive positions. The way he looked at the position said Air McLaren, was that the organisation, was at the «>i its popularity at present and it might go back if a hard and fast rule were adhered to. AFr G. H. Perry said he th : that when a young man started in the organisation lie should be si 1 lowed to carry on. It would be suicidal if men about 25 were .-topped from carrying on. said Air J. M. -Limes. It would kill the movement which they had set cut- to foster. On the motion, of Air La Roche it was recommended that the age limit should be 25. but that members could be admitted up to 30 with, the permission of the district chairman and the district secretary, a proviso being that no members over 25 should hold executive positions or take part in inter-club competitions. The suggestion of Air Freeman that the North and South Island council* should be abolished and that tne movement be controlled by tin* Dominion executive was approved. The following executive committee of the Wairarapa body was elected - Senior members. Alessrs K. A. La Roche and AY. Janies; junior members. the chairman of each club, or his representatives, and Messrs H. McKenzie. I). AleGrcgor and G Rlatchford The committee thou discussed suggestions for the amended constitution which, with some slight alt.*Wttr>ns. was approved.