YOUNG FARMERS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3550, 6 May 1939, Page 4

YOUNG FARMERS

CAMBRIDGE CLUB FORMED AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING A Young Farmers' Club was launched in Cambridge last evening at an enthusiastic meeting held in the Farmers' Club Room. There was an attendance of over fifty farmers under the age of 30 years, and after an outline had been given of the organisation by members of the Department of Agriculture, and farmers interested in the movement, officers were elected for the first year.

Mr F. iH. Anderson presided, and apart from the young farmers, there were also in attendance Messrs J. F. Shepherd, Fields Inspector of the Department of Agriculture; W. T. Brown, Instructor in Agriculture for the district; W. Harbutt, chairman of the Cambridge Dairy Company; J. S. Archer, vice-president

of the Farmers' Union, who organised the meeting; R. D. Fisher, a member of the Cambridge Dairy Company; S. H. Judd, and R. S. Entwistle, secretary of the Farmers' Union.

In opening the meeting, Mr F. H. Anderson stated that history was being made in Cambridge. He considered that it- was most encouraging to see that so many young men were prepared to make themselves fitted to be administrators in the dairy industry. There were difficulties to foe faced, and Mr Anderson said, it was well, that the young farmers of the district were being prepared for the future. Activities Outlined An outline of the club activities was given by Mr Brown. He said that the organisation had been commenced in Otago and had spread to Taranaki. Now clubs were being formed in all country towns and the results were .very satisfactory. Clubs were affiliated to the New Zealand body which held its meetings in the North and South Islands in alternate years. At the present time there were 184 clubs in New Zealand, 72 being in the South Island and 112 in the North Island. The main aim of the movement was of agricultural instruction) said Mr Brown. The general improvement of farming with greater profit to the man on the land was the result. Members were also encouraged to air their views on general topics, and thus they learnt public speaking in preparation for the time when they would be taking their part on local bodies. Field days would be held and stock judging competitions arranged to improve the general knowledge of members concerning stock. Tours Arranged Young farmers' tours were also arranged at a very cheap rate, when an exchange of ideas was carried out, said Mr Brown. A holiday was combined with the opportunity to learn the various types of farming. The encouragement of better farming and assistance to the district generally were the main aims of the club, concluded Mr Brown. Appreciation of the large number of young farmers present was expressed by Mr Shepherd. Detailing the organisation, he stated that 10 members Were required to form a club. An advisory president and two deputies were appointed from older farmers to give advice when necessary. • >< lawA

A district'committee was formed, with delegates to the provincial executive and further delegates to the Dominion Council.

I)r Annett spoke in favour of the movement and said it was pleasing to see such a large gathering after the disappointing number that was present on a previous occasion. He detailed some of the activities of the Matangi Club, which was the first to be formed in the Waikato. The need for able young men to hold the executive positions was stressed my Dr Annett. He felt that there would be no difficulty in that respect in Cambridge. Social Benefits The great social benefits to be derived from young farmers getting together, was another aspect raised by Dr Annett. He had found that when persons got to know each' other better it was much easier for them to express their views in an intelligent manner. With the Young Farmers' Movement gaining power, more scholarships were being arranged for entrance to Massey College to study the various branches of farming. There were also many ways in which the movement developed useful hobbies among members, added Dr Annett. Generally speaking the club would do much to increase the knowledge of young farmers.

He wished the club every success.

"I had, no idea that there was such a fine lot of young men connected with farming in the Cambridge district," said Mr W- Harbutt. He told the young men that they had a duty in front of them, to carry on after older farmers had completed their tasks. / The road was not easy, Mr Harbutt added. The viewpoint of farming had been altered, and the way to success was by the continual gaining of knowledge. With encouragement, the various members would be proud to explain to others the experiences that they v had gained in farming. Thus would be broadened, and the life of the club maintained, said Mr Harbutt.

Mr Shepherd explained that the subscription was 2/6, plus 1/- for the Journal of Agriculture, which was supplied free to members once every month. A formal motion was passed that the club be formed and officers elected were as follows: Chairman, Mr Alwyn Gascoigne; secretary, Mr Eric Anderson; treasurer, Mr Robert Nolan; committee, Messrs Selwyn Harbutt, Martin Maystoni, Geoffery Ariell, Ronald Giles, Harold Wallis, Albert Feisst, and Donald Fraser; advisory presidents, Messrs W. N. Perry (president of the Farmers' Union), F. H. Anderson and R. D. Fisher; delegates to district committee, Messrs A. Gascoigne, W. N. Perry and E. Anderson. It was decided to hold the meetings on the second Monday in each month.