YOUNG FARMERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1941, Page 6

YOUNG FARMERS

MEETING OF DISTRICT EXECUTIVE ADDRESS BY MR. S. FREEMAN. PRESENT DAY DIFFICULTIES. Several matters of importance to the welfare of the Young Farmers' movement in New Zealand were referred to at a meeting last night of the Wairarapa district executive of Young Farmers' clubs, by Mr S. Freeman, Dominion organising secretary. Mr G. Elatchford (vice-president) presided in the absence of the president. Mr W. James, through illness. The meeting decided to send a letter to Mr James expressing hopes for a speedy recovery. In a comprehensive review of the activities of the movement, Mr Freeman stressed the difficulties being experienced at the present time owing to war conditions. The value cf the movement 1 ! he said justified every effort being made to maintain its activities. He pointed out that prior to the war, the average age of members was tending to increase and the war had exaggerated the danger of the movement catering only for older members, He stressed the responsibility developing upon the older members remaining in the country to. encourage the younger people to join up. A similar duty, he said, rested® on the advisory members., who were really being called upon to fulfil the same functions as they did in the earlier days of the organisation. He emphasised the value of the movement as a potential force in post-war reconstruction.

Mr Freeman went on to comment on the business at the last annual meeting of the National Federation. He said that it was one of the largest annual meetings yet held. A suggestion was made urging clubs to appoint road organisers, whose functions would be to organise transport along a particular road and take the necessary steps to see that both present and prospective members would have transport available for attending meetings. The question of the admission of young women members was also discussed. It was considered that it would not be wise to admit women members with full rights, but that if individual clubs desired, there was no reason why young women interested in farming in the district should not be admitted as auxiliary members, in order to obtain the benefits of lectures, demonstrations, etc., arranged by clubs. Mr Freeman also reported on the wonderful response made by Young Farmers’ Clubs in assisting the department with experimental work. Despite the short notice, between 300 and 400 experimental plots had already been established by Young Farmers’ Club members. Messrs W. F. McLaren and G. H. Ferry referred to the pleasure of seeing Mr Freeman again and observed that the movement was passing through a very critical period. An assurance was given that as far as the Wairarapa was concerned the advisory members would be only too pleased to do everything in their power to keep the movement going. The possibility of arranging for instruction in shearing for Young Farmers’ Club members was discussed. It was generally felt that it was more a matter for individual clubs to take up. Mr McLaren pointed out that probably crutching time would be the best period to commence to teach learners, in order to give them experience in the use and maintenance of shearing plant before they actually undertook shearing.

It was agreed to bring the matter before the notice of individual clubs, with a suggestion that, if possible, clubs should arrange field days immediately. Mr N. Blatchford brought up the question of rehabilitation of YoUng Farmers' Club members returning from overseas.

It was generally held that previous active membership of Young Farmers’ clubs should entitle men to some special preference and consideration when the question of establishing returned men on farms was being considered.