N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 62, Issue 2, 15 February 1941, Page 129

N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

Edited .by

S. Freeman,

Dominion Organising Secretary

South Island Y.F.C. Scholarships To Lincoln College By S. R. WHYTE, Hon. Secretary, Otago-Southland Y.F.C. Council.

THE Young Farmers’ Club Scholarship Committee, consisting of Messrs. A. C. Cameron (convener), W. R. Harris (chairman, Otago and Southland Council), H. G. Stevens (chairman, Canterbury Council), R. McGillivray (Fields Superintendent for Canterbury), J. W. Woodcock (Fields Superintendent for Otago), has announced the following Scholarship Awards tenable at Lincoln College for 1941. The Lincoln College Old Students’ Scholarship awarded to a member of the N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs with outstanding qualifications: JAMES LAWRENCE FALCONER, son of Lt. Col. (temporary Colonel) A. S. Falconer, D. 5.0., M.C. in command of the Fifth Brigade N.Z.E.F. Overseas. The Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s Scholarship available to a Canterbury member of the N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs of outstanding merit: — JOHN H. OLDFIELD, son of Mr. F. G. Oldfield, of Winchmore, R.D. Ashburton, and a well-known sheep farmer of Mid-Canterbury.

. The committee reports that although the number of applications was few, the standard was exceptionally high. James Lawrence Falconer was born in Dunedin in 1921, and received his education at the Leith Valley, George Street, and Otago Boys’ High Schools. His desire to be a farmer was evidenced very early, and he took every opportunity of spending his holidays in the country. When he left High School Falconer became a cadet on Messrs. Hugh Mackenzie and Sons’ Walter Peak and Mt. Nicholas Stations, the owners of which reluctantly released him when he decided to acquire a knowledge of agricultural farming. He spent some 18 months with Mr. C. J. Aitchison, of Patearoa, doing the team work as well as a certain amount of sheep work. In November of this year, when only 19 years of age, he returned to Walter Peak to act as head shepherd, and is at present in that position. When it is remembered that this station and Mt. Nicholas, which are worked in conjunction with each other, muster in the vicinity of 33,000 sheep, it will be seen that his employers recognise in

Falconer outstanding ability and judgment. Nor has it been only in farming that he has shown an interest, as he has been keen on sport while at school, and has taken a lively interest in the Young Farmers’ Club movement, although this has necessarily been restricted by the fact that his work has kept him isolated from the, centres where clubs are functioning. John H. Oldfield is the descendant of an old sheep farming family in Canterbury, and at 18 years of age shows ability as a judge of stock considered by those competent to judge as being well above the average. He received his secondary education at the Methven District High School and, although like Falconer, he has not been able to take a direct interest in club work, he has achieved considerable success in stock judging and other competitions at field days, organised by the movement. Oldfield will also take the Diploma Course at Lincoln College, and there is no doubt that the period spent there will be used by him to the utmost advantage.

Activities of Yeung Formers' Clubs In Scotland

The following, extracted from “The Scottish Farmer,” is reprinted in this section, as organisation— Ed interest to our own , - ".TTA mxf . ... XI. xr Y r I 'HAT the war has hit the Young 1 Farmers’ Club movement fairly hard cannot be denied. At least to

carry on a club on pre-war lines is difficult.. Fortunately, however, the enthusiasm of most club members has not diminished. A recent query, to c^s brought the reply in some cases that it was almost necessary to curb the members’ enthusiasm— a

healthy and desirable state of affairs, The outbreak of war brought a sudden check to important developments in the movement. Although only a little over a year old, the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs had, through its organising secretary,

Mr. Chambers, been laying a foundation on which new and vigorous activities, as well as an expansion in both numbers of clubs and members, could be developed. These plans have had to be put aside until such times as we can function once again on an interclub and inter-district basis. At present, clubs can" operate only as individual units. In considering suitable programmes for the coming winter, the experiences of last winter are. useful. During September and October of 1939 the general atmosphere of uncertainty made it difficult for club leaders and officials to arrange activities. Further, the departure of those members who had been Territorials, the difficulty of getting suitably “blacked-out” pre-

mises, the shortage of petrol, and so on, all made meetings far from easy to arrange. Some clubs actually decided to close down, but most of them subsequently reversed this, decision, and, as the winter developed, gradually resumed activity, though on a definitely limited basis. This year the situation is much clearer. Although many members are now occupied with the Home Guard, they have some time available .for club work. Clubs can also plan ahead in the light of their experiences of last winter. Further, we have the decided advantage of a clarified war situation. Although this year has brought the war much nearer to us and the situation has become extremely grave, it has at the same time converted us into a determined and united nation, in-

finitely more capable of decisive action on both the fighting, and the domestic fronts. Certainly, clubs are in much better spirits for an active winter’s work today than they were a year ago. Changes Made Last. Year One of the interesting developments last winter was the change in the nature of many club meetings. All clubs were thrown back on their own resources and were compelled to be much more self-contained and original. In many ways this was a real advantage. Too many clubs had far too long run their winter meetings as a mere series of lectures by visiting lecturers. But the purpose of a club is not merely to give the members the views of outsiders and a series of hints on up-to-date farming; it is also to ascertain the views and ideas of its own members and to train and develop their ability to reason, to argue, and to express their own point of veiw. It would appear that since the war began about two-thirds of the club meetings have been conducted by the members themselves, without any outside speaker, and ' once the members have become accustomed to doing this, and have acquired the confidence to do it, they find such meetings more interesting and more stimulating than a mere series of lectures. What is wanted is a judicious blending of lectures by outsiders with meetings in which the members themselves provide either the material for discussion or some other activity. The difficulty of obtaining “blackedout” premises for meetings is not now likely to arise, unless in very exceptional circumstances. Most districts have now some room suitably prepared, but where the regular meeting place of any club has not already been put right there is nothing to prevent a club, either alone, or in co-operation with another organisation using the same premises, from taking steps to “black-out” a room sufficiently large for the purpose. Any club, if it is healthy and virile, more especially if there are girl members, as there ought to be in every club, could easily make this its first activity for this winter. Broader Activities War experience provides us with the opportunity of developing club activities along broader and more beneficial lines. It has always been too narrow a conception of the movement’s objects to look on a club merely as a means of arranging a few visits to judge livestock in summer, with a few lectures on farming and an odd dance in winter. We should, strive not only to

make club members more efficient at whatever farm job they do, but also to provide activities that will make living in rural areas still more attractive and beneficial, as well as to help members to realise both the advantages of playing their full part as citizens and the necessity of doing their duty in this connection. During this coming winter we shall have stationed in rural centres a large number of men on active service, members of the women’s services, of the Women’s Land Army, etc., many of whom will have no extensive, if any, knowledge of the countryside and few, if any, friends where they are billeted. A nation under arms waiting for attack cannot afford to let any of these individuals, on whom so much is to depend, be bored during the hours when they are not on active duty. The Social Side ' Social amenities, healthy recreation, and educational activities are vitally necessary, and while the services themselves take some steps in this direction, and there are also many other voluntary organisations already doing work of this character, there is still ample scope for Young Farmers’ Clubs to come in and do their share. Agriculture in this war is playing its part as. a food production service, and, because of the importance of this, its members are reserved ■ from military service. ■ Because of this we should be all the more ready to show our appreciation of those whose duty it is to defend us under conditions of extreme danger. This we can best do by making any spells spent by. them in the countryside as pleasant and as beneficial as possible. Some of the people concerned may have agricultural connec-

lions, others may even be members of Young Farmers’ Clubs, who will welcome the opportunity of meeting fellow-members and of seeing something of farming in a new area. Discussion Groups Another interesting feature which appeared last winter was the discussion group, a most successful example of which was run in Dumfriesshire. There are some clubs which draw their members from a very wide radius, with the result that those living farthest afield may have difficulty, under war conditions, in travelling to meetings. The discussion group provides a means of keeping all the members interested and in touch with club work. A group of members, however small, living near each other can meet by arrangement in the house of one of the members ■ and have discussions on agreed topics. There could be several such groups in the one club. They will function best if they can have one person present who is rather older than the rest, preferably a former club member, who may have passed the age limit, though this is not absolutely essential. He or she can be a sort of group leader. It is possible in these small groups to get all the members present taking a more active part, and also to get a more thorough and more exhaustive discussion of a point than is usually possible in a bigger meeting. Suitable Topics There is at present no lack of suitable topics for such groups to consider. The whole range of increased food production, and the effects of war on farming organisation and on rural life could keep any group arguing for many meetings. In fact, it is a duty of all Young Farmers in their capacity of

prospective “Farmers of Tomorrow” to consider how best agriculture can be made to adapt itself to our new conditions. The good old days, if such they were, of pre-1914, as well as the ups and downs of the last twenty years, have gone. Just as the social and economic life of the whole nation cannot avoid serious changes resulting from this conflict, so agriculture, a part 'of the nation, is likely also to experience marked changes. Young Farmers could profitably consider what developments they deem necessary and desirable to make farming a really efficient food production organisation for the nation. These few suggestions in regard to activities are possibly more appropriate for the older members, the “over 18’s.” They also are likely to be more interested in helping, as so many clubs are now doing, and rightly so, with efforts to assist the Red Cross Agriculture Fund, 1 the collection of scrap metal, and so on. Younger Members But there is quite a definite need for some effective steps by clubs to attract still younger members, especially those between school leaving age and eighteen. What suits the older members is not, however, ■ so well adapted for those of younger years, a point we are all too often apt to forget. Interest is very soon lost if in every activity chief place is taken by those five to ten years older. Even the youngest likes some little slice of honour and responsibility. Not only will cubs soon find themseves in difficuties if they fail to recruit and hold new and younger members, but they will also be neglecting to do something urgent for those who are at an age when their whole attitude to rural affairs is moulded and determined.

Darfield Club's Patriotic Work By R. M. FECHNEY, Hon. Secretary, Darfield Club

THE following is a report on recent patriotic activities of the Darfield Young Farmers’ Club. On August 7 the sum of £25 was lent to the Government, interest free, for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. The annual ball on September 19 proved to be the most successful yet held by the club, more than 400 guests being present, and from the profits the sum of £l2 12s. was donated to the local branch of the Red Cross Society. At this ball the Advisory President (Mr. C. O.

Redfern) presented the two cups competed for during the —Mr. R. S. Gunn’s cup for most points gained in all club stock-judging competitions, won by J. D. Gallagher; and the club’s cup for the stacking competition, won by W. M. Wilson. Miniature cups for last year’s winners were presented to R. K. Reed and W. M. Wilson. A barn dance was held on November 7, and the proceeds, amounting to £9 35., are to be devoted to the Country Queen (Mrs. Leonard Coop) at the forthcoming Patriotic Carnival. The Advisory President (Mr. C. O. Red-

fern) kindly put his granary at the club’s disposal for the occasion. A number of club members have enlisted, and so far five have gone overseas. These members have each received a useful gift to the value of approximately fifteen shillings. Taking into account last year’s donation of £ll 14s. to the Red Cross, the Darfield Y.F.C. has already spent approximately £SB 10s. on Patriotic and war purposes since the outbreak of war.

Shearing Field Days FOLLOWING suggestions made at the last meeting of the Horowhenua District Committee, field days were held by the Levin and Johnsonville Clubs in order to give members an opportunity to learn the first essentials of shearing. These were both successful from the point of view of the interest shown by Club members, and much of value was learnt. There was an attendance of 26 club members at Mr. R. Law’s shearing shed on Friday, November 15. Individual tuition was given to all members attending by Messrs. R. Law, sen., R. Law, jun., and K. Moodie. Operations started at 10 a.m. and continued until 3.30 p.m., with, a break for lunch. All members were given the opportunity of shearing at least one sheep, and remarkable progress was made by those who tackled more than one. No competition was held between members, as this will be more valuable later on when more practice has been obtained. However, demonstrations were given by the instructors, and Mr. R. J. Law also gave a demonstration on throwing and rolling a fleece. Members of the club were very appreciative of the assistance given by Messrs. Law sen. and jun. in providing

their shed and sheep, without which a most useful and instructive day would not have been possible. —G. S. ROBINSON, District Secretary.

Johnsonville Shearing Field Day. A VERY enjoyable and instructive AVERY enjoyable and instructive day was spent by the Johnsonville Y.F.C. on November 16 at a shearing contest in Messrs. Bryant Bros.’ shed, Ohariu Valley. About 60 persons were present, including ladies, and 12 shearers entered for'the competition.

Mr. R. Macfarlane kindly acted as judge, and also gave sound advice to the young shearers. Mr. N. Bryant was placed first, with Mr. H. Brown second, and fastest time for three sheep went to Mr. W. Bryant, time 10 min. 20 sec. Mr. Black, of Levin and Co., gave some tips on skirting and rolling the fleece, and during the afternoon tea, which concluded the day, the chairman thanked the various. persons responsible for making the day a success and Messrs. Bryant Bros, for the use of their shed. —R. ROWELL, Hon. Sec., Johnsonville Club.

Among the Clubs: Reports on Activities

At this time of the year there is normally a shortage of news from the clubs through many of them having gone into recess because of seasonal farm activities. This applies particularly to the South Island, where harvesting and other operations make it necessary for clubs to close down during the summer months; the same applies in a lesser degree to clubs in the North Island, many of which close down for one to two months for haymaking, shearing,etc. At the present time, in addition to the foregoing, a number of clubs have found it necessary to go into temporary recess because of so many members being absent in Territorial camps, which, combined with the number of members already serving in the overseas forces, has in many cases seriously depleted active membership.—Editor. Westernl Southland. Wyndham. Members selected to act as stewards at Wyndham A. and P. Show. An address was given by Mr. W. L. Stewart on “The Art of Speaking in Public." Dunedin. South Taieri.— Talk given by Mr. Colin How. Consulting Officer, N.Z. Dairy Board, on “Increased Production, Sire Recording and Nutrition and its Relation to Disease.” This was followed by a demonstration by Mr. Passmore, of the Europa Oil Co., in which the lubricating qualities of different oils were shown. Numerous questions were answered by both speakers, and a very instructive evening was spent.

South Canterbury. . Cannington-Cave. day held on Mr. Baker’s farm, Motukika. Mr. Baker gave an address on “Fat Lamb Breeding and General Farming Practice”; Mr. R. McKenzie also spoke. At the-last meeting it was decided to cease club operations for three months. The treasurer reported that the club had raised £l6 for Red Cross and Patriotic Funds. Lecturers were Mr. J. Crawford (“The Levels Station in the days of the New Zealand and Australian Land Co.”) and Mr. J. McKerchan (“Border Leicester Sheep”). Milford.-A field day was held on. Mr. J. C. Bisdee’s property, members being shown over by Mr. R. Bisdee; the farm is situated at Clandeboye, and consists in the main of very heavy land. Mr. R. Dale, on behalf of those present, thanked Mr. Bisdee for his interest and the valuable information he had given. The final club meeting for the season was held in the evening, and was run on the lines of a social; items were contributed and a toast list was honoured, members being given the opportunity either to propose or reply to toasts. At the previous meeting arrangements were made for members to visit the P.W.D. camp at Temuka. Mid-Canterbury. Hinds.— Final meeting for the year held as a social evening. Items were given by Messrs. E. Rhodes and W. Keeley. Mr. E. Withey completed a pleasant evening by exhibiting motion pictures of his recent tour of the North Island.

Methven.— Team selected to represent the club in the stock judging competition at the Ashburton A. and P. Show. Advice was received from the Methven A. and P. Association that it would allow Y.F.C. members to enter for junior judges’ certificates at the next show; the names of members intending to make application were forwarded to the association. Mr. R. E. Todhunter, “Blackford,” Rakaia Gorge, spoke on “The Importance of Farming as an Industry in New Zealand Today,” and also on “Wool-scouring” and “Hill-country Farming.” Christchurch. Ellesmere. Exhibition of motion films by Messrs. W. Mawhinney and Turnbull, of Massey Harris Co., depicting scenic, mining, and machinery topics. North Canterbury. Cheviot. — Discussion on suitable places in public reserves, etc., for planting of Centennial memorial trees. Decided to approach Cheviot A. and P. Association to schedule classes in .sheep section for competition among Y.F.C. members. Address by Mr. A. Flay, of Lincoln College, on “Farm Management.” Wairarapa. Carterton. Discussion on altering date of meeting to avoid clashing with Home Guard parade. Address by Mr. G. E. Allen on “Dips and Dipping.” Martinborough.-Lecture by Mr. P. Amas on “Breaking in Horses.”

Manawatu. Bunnythorpe.— -Lecture and demonstration on a Southdown ram by Alan Stewart, a club member. Oroua Downs.-— Annual meeting held in January because of members going into Territorial camps. Officers elected Advisory president, Mr. R. Craig; chairman, S. D. Bryden; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Marsden. At the previous meeting Mr. R. Craig gave a talk and demonstration on “How to Run a Meeting on Strictly Correct Lines.” Pohangina Valley. Annual meeting. Officers elected':Chairman, T. A. Turnbull; secretary, R. Balmer; treasurer, V. Sinclair. At the previous meeting Mr. Lewis Gold, of Palmerston North, gave a talk on "Impressions and Facts Concerning the Union of South Africa.’’ Rongotea.— to hold annual meeting .early ,in .March. Miniature - Cup to be again donated this year for Calf Club Championship. Report on shearing field day held on December 3 in which about 20 members participated. Talk by Mr. Lewis Gold, of Palmerston North, on “Impressions and Facts Concerning the Union of South Africa.” Tokomaru. Decided to go into recess for two months. Several members attended, a meeting of the Opiki Club, addressed by the Dominion Organising Secretary. South Taranaki. Alton.— Talk by E. Muggeridge, a club member,. on “Pasture Management.” Mr. Muggeridge, who is attending Massey College, was congratulated by the meeting on-having obtained top marks at the college. Eltham. Address by Mr. J. E. Davies, Department of Agriculture (District Y.F.C. Secretary), on “How Young Farmers Can Help in the War Effort.” Central Hawke’s Bay. Onga Onga.— -Messrs. E. S. Bibby and C. Masters . gave two interesting' talks on the early history of the local district, dealing with the various big holdings, and how and when they were cut up for close settlement. — Programme of sound films exhibited by Mr. J. W. Palmer, Department of Agriculture (District Y.F.C. Secretary). Poverty Bay. Te Karaka. —lmpromptu speeches by ■ club members. Northern Hawke’s Bay. Meeanee.— J. Parsons to be asked to act as club’s representative on the Taradale Home Guard Committee. Mr. Wilding and Mr. Currie were the guests of the club ; Mr. Wilding gave a talk oh the reasons why farmers should sow only the best of seeds, more especially, when sowing ryegrass and/or clovers. The speaker spent considerable time in explanation and answering questions. Wairoa. — Address by Mr. W. M. Hood, manager of the Union Bank of Australia, Wairoa, on “The Banking System and International Exchange.” Report submitted on the club’s scheme to place secondary school boys on farms during holiday periods; it transpired that, good as the scheme is, there had not been sufficient support to launch it successfully. Waikato. — Business meeting; general discussion on club activities, etc. Te Awamutu. — Decided to go into recess for the duration of the Mounted Rifles camp because of a large number of the club members attending the camp. A club debate was held, the subject being “That the Scientist has been Detrimental to Mankind”; the Rev. Martin Sullivan, acted as adjudicator, and gave the award to the affirmative team. At previously unreported meetings the club was addressed by Mr. Corby (representing the N.Z. Dairy Board) on "The Feeding of Stock During the Winter” and short talks were given by the following club members: lan Donaldson, Bob Mander, Line Lager, and Alex Laskey. A

field day was held on Mr. J. S. Pattison’s farm, Kihi Kihi, with an attendance of 40 club members and five visitors; Mr. Pattison demonstrated the points of a dairy . cow, and stock judging competitions were held, being won by J. McKinnon, M. Lorimer, and E. Fitzpatrick. Eastern Bay of Plenty. — Arrangements for a dance. R. Woolfield (club member) selected to write up a history of the district. Western Bay of Plenty. Kati — Business meeting. Letter of thanks to be forwarded to club members serving overseas for their thoughtful Christmas greetings. Arrangements made for future meetings. Te Puke. Lecture by Mr. A. Gordon, “Bacteria on the Earm.” ■ ‘

Wai hi High School Club.—Mr. A. V. Allo, Department of Agriculture, addressed the meeting on “Weeds,” and identified specimens brought by members from their' farms and gardens. A field day was held on Mr. Capamagian’s farm, Athenree; Mr. Capamagian demonstrated the shearing of sheep, the skirting and rolling of the fleece, and the baling of the wool. Members also studied the layout of the shearing shed and yards. Workworth. Kaukapakapa.— Decided to take an active part in the local show of the Helensville A. find P. Association. At a club field day Mr. H. W. Carbury, M.R.C.V.S., Government Veterinarian, demonstrated on the carcass of a dairy cow, and gave a talk on "Diseases of Dairy Stock and their Treatment.”