AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 12 October 1929, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

EDUCATION BOARD AND PRIZES. LENGTHY DISCUSSION. A meeting of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs was held this morning, presided over by Mr P. M. Compton. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the announcement of the Educa-

tion Board that it was not in favour of giving grants to the committee for the purpose of monetary prizes. Mr A. Donald, North Wairarapa member of the Education Board, was present at the meeting. Mr S. Freeman said that he doubted the wisdom of the secretary’s action, in giving to the press information contained in letters from the Education Board concerning tho prizes as the publicity had; and would have a bad effect on the entries.

The secretary (Mr James Watson) said that it was from the Farmers’ Union point of view that the information had been published. Mr Perry: "Who’s running this, the Farmers’ Union or the Committee'?” /

Mr Brockctt thought that all correspondence should be dealt with by the committee before being handed to the press. In this case he considered' that the secretary had made an error off judgment and as a result of his action entries would drop. The impression had-got about that there would .be no prizes at all and though honour and glory attached to the competition, children were riot old enough to appreciate. He did not favour money prizes, but at present it 7 seemed the only way to interest competitors, later on other means could be adopted.

The chairman, said it was desirable to have' the greatest possible public-, itv.

Mr Perry: "Yes the right kind.”

Mr Perry went on to say that he could not understand the Board’s attitude regarding prizes. ‘‘ We are trying to encourage agriculture in every way and it immediately puts a damper on the- few enthusiasts who are dealing with the question.” The chairman thought the Board would be sympathetic if the Committoe’s views were placed before them. They had hot been consulted very much, and he felt that a consultation with them should be the next step. Mr Donald said the Board was in entire sympathy with tho work, and desired to give it every encouragement. lie pointed out that the let-

ters received were based on the inspectors’ reports. Both past and present inspectors were opposed to the principle of monetary prizes for any pare of a child’s education. This view he endorsed, as he thought it was a pernicious habit in any department of a child’s life. It was a great failing that a child must have a prize before it did any work. He did not think the Board would bo against a grant to the committee, but if that grant were to be for prize money he did not think any member would vote for it. He suggested that the committee should forward a financial statement to the Board giving particulars as to the cost of running a club, and showing that the finances were in such a condition that it needed assistance. Practical work such as this would have tho Board’s sympathy, particularly as farmers themselves were getting educational benefit from it. Mr R. J. Barton expressed wholehearted admiration for the work being carried on, and stressed that small holding farming was a branch of farming that was coming in. Education for its encouragement was de-

sirable. The Board’s proposal to present certificates, he said, was not worth while, as they were not valued by children. If trophies were presented there was tangible evidence of a child’s efforts, while if prize, money was given, perhaps, some would find its way to the P.O. bank. Mr Perry said that if they gave £5 to a prize winner, and one out of 50 children took up agriculture, it would be worth while.

After further discussion Mr Perry moved that a grant be applied for, and the secretary to submit a statement of anticipated expenses. The motion was carried.

Messrs. S. Freeman, P. M. Compton and the secretary were appointed a committee to go into the matter. A motion 'was passed that the -Senior inspectors of schools bo asked to attend .a .meeting of the committee. . It was decided to instruct the secretary to write the headmasters of the various schoois regarding the presentation - of group prize's, and that the school committees be asked to' co-op-erate.. ....

An endeavour is to be made to have a special function, on the day of the Governor-General’s visit to Masterton for the presentation of the W.F.C.A. Championship Cup. The matter was left in the hands of the secretary to arrange. The Te Ore Ore school were the winners of the championship;-