YOUNG FARMERS

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 8

YOUNG FARMERS

EDUCATIONAL COURSE IN CITY WELCOME FROM BUSINESS MEN The preliminary gathering of young farmers who have come. to Dunedin in order to participate in the educational and cultural course organised by Mr A. C. Cameron was held this morning in tho Chamber of Commerce board room, Mr Cameron presiding over an attendance of about 100. After the roll had been called some of the lads made a few remarks on their work, with special reference to the types of farming being carried out in _ their own particular districts. A brief adjournment for morning tea was followed by short speeches of welcome from the deputy-mayor (Cr J. J. Marlow) and presidents of various organisations in the city.

The deputy-mayor gave the young visitors a hearty welcome, and said he trusted their stay would be pleasant. As ho looked around the room, he could not help feeling a great admiration for a class of work which could breed such a fine stamp of young man. Mr Marlow deplored any tendency to promote rivalry between the primary and secondary industries, and said he hoped that when they went around the various factories they would realise the importance of the manufacturing section of the community. Neither town nor country could exist, one without the other.

Sir James Allen endorsed Mr Marlow’s remarks about the appearance of the visitors, and added that, while the secondary industries were essential, the industries most essential to the dominion were those associated with the land. He was glad to say that many of the sons of English farmers who had been disabled in the war had received training at Flock House, and that now the valuable institution was directing its attention to the training of New Zealand boys. Sir James stressed the value of acquiring a training early in life, and said he was perfectly sure that a young man’s association with the land would result in his living a full and happy life. He wished them all success, and expressed a hope that they would realise that by their conscientious attention to their work they would help the country towards prosperity. Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P., joined in the greeting, and said there was nothing wrong with Otago if the province could turn out such young men. They had a fine opportunity now to get the city viewpoint on matters, relating to the welfare of the dominion. Without question the cities were to a large extent dependent on the country for the success of New Zealand, and the young farmers such as themselves were looked to to keep the standard of their produce up to a High level. Attention to quality was necessary, and in attaining the best quality he advised them to take every advantage of applying science to their work right through their lives. He hoped that during the next few years they would do the best they could to fit themselves for the life ahead.

Mr W. J. Morrell (Chancellor of the Otago University) said he did not know if the University was concerned with the present movement, but ho was pleased to see that lectures by University people were on the week’s programme. He could assure them that the educational week had the best wishes of the University Council. Ho hoped that the study of science in farming would do for New Zealand what it had done for Denmark, where special high schools had been established. In Home papers, moreover, he noticed reports of gatherings of young farmers who were trained along modern lines. He was glad to see in the programme set down for them that the course was to be cultural as well as educational. They must set themselves to learn about the world at large, so that they would understand something about the matter of international relationships. Radiating from Britain there was a spirit of optimism spreading throughout the world, and they were proud to know that Britain was leading the way towards recovery. Ho hoped the lads before him were optimists in regard to their work and to the Empire, and that they would do all that lay in their power to promote future goodwill throughout the world. Ho congratulated the organiser of such a very fine movement as theirs.

Mrs Drake (president of tho women’s division, of the Farmers’ Union) added her welcome to that of the others, and expressed appreciation of the course that bad been, organised. Mrs Drake reminded her audience that, after all,' they were very much dependent on the women in their homes, and she trusted they would all show consideration for those who made their homes comfortable for them. In referring to tho treatment of animals, she stressed the need for kindness, particularly in the case of the working animals—dogs and horses. The President of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce (Mr W. H. Brent) associated himself, on behalf of tho chamber, with the welcome, and went on to amplify tho theme, “ Knowledge is power,” stating that, with the aid of science, they could improve, their industry and working methods. Ha thought that young men from the city should go to the country and learn something about the work that was being done there. Mr Brent went on to say that this was the time for optimism. On them rested, to a great extent, the prosperity of their wonderful dominion.

Mr James Hogg (president of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association) congratulated Mr Cameron on what seemed to him the finest movement of its kind he had seen, and he hoped that the young viistors would take away with them much knowledge that would be of use to them in their work. He was particularly interested in fostering a closer co-operation _ between the primary and secondary industries, and he trusted that when they looked through the various manufacturing concerns they would appreciate the value of the industries being carried on in the city.

Deferred to by Mr Cameron as the “ father of farming in Otago,” Mr John Clarke, who was_ cheered when ho rose to speak, added his welcome to the others, and said he hoped_ they would not forget Mrs Drake’s advice.

Mr Cameron announced that Mr J. C. Begg, who was also present; had extended an invitation to the visitors to inspect the astronomical observatory at lloslyn.

Mr J. Clearwater (Palmerston), on behalf of the visitors, thanked tho speakers for their warm welcome, and also all those people in Dunedin who had done so much to organise the visit. The session concluded with further brief addresses from the young farmers about their work.