AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 18851, 17 June 1920, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

MEANS OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June IG. As an important and easy means of assuring the full scientific use of New Zealand’s great areas of land undeveloped or only partially developed, it is necessary to establish and foster agricultural clubs for hoys and girls throughout the dominion. This is the keynote of a eptition which Mr W. Stuart Wilson has decided to present to Parliament in the hope that the movement will he assisted by a grant of at least £IO,OOO.

The petition emphasises that intelligent helping of the rising generation in the science and art of agriculture will increase immensely the wealth of the country, and thus automatically give relief to thousands of people who complain about the cost of living. It is also remarked that if the club’s movement is pushed vigorously throughout the British Empire the prosperity and safety of the Empire as a whole will be assured bv the development of a sturdy yeomanry' and solid citizenship with a proper sense of responsibility in regard to national defence.

Mr Wilson mentions that already the principle of the clubs has been warmly approved by- representative men throughout the dominion, and therefore it Parliament agrees to give' substantial help it will be acting in accordance with the wish of thousands' of New Zealand's most thoughtful citizens.