BOY'S’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 8

BOY'S’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

The report of the North Taranaki Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs for the year’ that has just closed shows satisfactory progress. The increase in membership has been sufficient to indicate that interest in the work of the clubs is not diminishing among school pupils, particularly in regard to the calf-rearing competitions. The reports of the judges and those who have supervised the work of the clubs show that parents and teachers have done their share towards making the clubs of real assistance to the young folk, who will form the farming community of the future. One of the most satisfactory features of the report is that real progress in the choice of stock for the calf-rearing classes has been shown. School pupils are exhibiting wider knowledge of the type of animal required, and this in itself is a tribute to the training afforded by the competitions. It can be seen from the report that supervision by teachers has a good deal to do with the results obtained, and the success of the various clubs is in direct ratio to the enthusiasm shown by teachers and parents. The clubs have now been established for some years, and proved their worth. There was a period when they were considered rather a waste of time and effort, but each year has seen prejudice diminished and wider interest created. The movement has been limited by the scarcity of funds, and the outlook in this direction is not very promising. It says a good deal for the .Farmers’ Union, the departmental officials, the judges of the competitions' and all who assist the clubs that the determination to carry on their work is not daunted by the difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds. It is probable that drastic economy will be necessary in the Dominion’s system of education. If the reduction in expenditure is determined by the value received there should be no doubt of the State providing its share of the cost of the agricultural clubs. While high authority has been, talking of giving an “agricultural bias” to the training afforded in the schools, such movements as the clubs have been accomplishing that purpose at very little cost to the State, and with results that must give great satisfaction to all who have aided in the good work.