YOUNG FARMERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 23 July 1934, Page 8

YOUNG FARMERS.

Educational Course Opened in City. WELCOMED BY MAYOR. “Young Farmers’ Week” was begun in Christchurch this morning, when over 100 young men drawn from districts all over Canterbury assembled in the city and were given a cordial welcome by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) and representatives of various local institutions at a gathering in the Y.M.C.A. building. This is the first occasion that such a gathering has been held in the city since the incorporation of the New Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs on March 16 of this year. Already two similar functions have been held in Otago with much success. The farmers’ representatives have been selected by conveners on the basis of character and leadership ability, and their ages vary from seventeen to twenty-four years.

The party assembled in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. at 10 a.m., when a welcome was extended to them by Mr A. C. Camercn, president of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Mr A. E. G. Lyttle, Christchurch manager of the Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association, Mr A. B. Struthers. secretarv of the Young Farmers’ Clubs, and Mr S. D. Blomfield, general secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers 1 Clubs. After the roll call each representative spoke for one minute on his. work and t\'pe of farming in his district. Breaking Down Barriers.

In extending a welcome the Mayor said it was sincerely hoped the young farmers would spend a profitable and interesting time. There was no doubt that their visit would tend to break down that barrier of town versus country. He suggested that similar visits should be paid by parties of young men from the city to the country. There were many problems to be solved and the more harmoniously the country districts and the city worked together the better it would be for all. There were warm-hearted people in the city of Christchurch, and there would be no doubt that the visitors would be made to feel at home. Mr A. F. Wright, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of the occasion as well as the benefits that would be derived by all through the institution of the young farmers’ visit to the city. The Canterbury Chamber had done its utmost to cement the bonds of cordiality between town and country. He was sorry to see that a suggestion had been made with regard to the restriction of output. One solution of present difficulties was to find new markets.

Mr F. W. J. Belton, president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, said that his association was pleased to see such a movement started in Canterbury and wished it every success. He, too, stressed the importance of town and country getting together for mutual progress. For instance the manufacturers had offered the dairy industry every assistance to increase the use of milk.

Mr Colin M’lntosh, past president of the Farmers’ Union, said that the visitors would have ample opportunity of cementing town and country interests. The manufacturing industries were now just as important as those of farming. After a visit to various manufacturing establishments in the city, the visitors would no doubt feel that it was essential to keep those industries going. On behalf of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, Mr W. 11. Nicholson, vice-president, also extended a -welcome.

Mr C. W. Kyle, one of the young farmers, thanked the Mayor and other speakers for the welcome. The visitors have a very full week ahead of them. The mornings will be taken up with lectures and addresses 3nd the afternoons with visits to the premises of manufacturing firms in the city. This afternoon a visit was paid to Andersons Ltd., engineers, and later to the old Provincial Council Chambers. This evening will be the only free evening, as all the remainder will be taken up with the comprehensive programme which has been drawn up.