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Young Farmers' Clubs Very definite progress has been made in the Young Farmers' Clubs movement over the past twelve months. During the war the membership fell to below 1,000 and the number of elubs to 50. In 1945-46 the number of clubs increased to 210, 7 in excess of the pre-war total. The membership in the individual clubs has shown a steady rise during the past two years, and there are now 278 clubs, with a total active membership of approximately 8,000. This, represents an increase of 75 clubs and about 2,000 members over the pre-war number. A major factor in the progress of the movement since the war has been the work carried out in the various districts by the Field Instructors, whose release from duties directly connected with the war effort has enabled them to concentrate on Y.F.C. work as part of their ordinary instructional d,uties, and in practically every district in the Dominion an Instructor is acting as the district Y.F.C. secretary. The following indicates the number of clubs in the four council areas:

A national Y.F.C. memorial scheme to commemorate the sacrifice of those members who lost their lives overseas during the war embodies the erection of additional buildings at Massey and Lincoln Colleges for the provision of Y.F.C. short courses. The sum of £20,000 is the target aimed at, and funds are being raised, and collected by all units of the Federation. The Y.F.C. movement is now in its thirteenth year in New Zealand, and the agricultural education and inculcation of the spirit of leadership and citizenship carried out by clubs isl the true measure of the movement's value to the farming community and to the Dominion. The Federation has made a move in the direction of the establishment of a " sister " organization, the Country Girls' Association. General With the return to normal conditions, officers of the Fields Division are enabled to devote more time to activities which were curtailed on account of the war. There has been some revival of crop and pasture competitions, and although lack of materials and other facilities prevented renewal of the departmental show exhibits, small displays have been arranged by local officers at some of the A. and P. shows. Special surveys have been carried out by field officers in connection with local problems. The Department is represented by officers of the Fields Division on numerous local organizations such as Catchment Boards and, Regional Planning Councils.

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Council. Pre-war. 1946. 1947. Otago-Southland 35 27 38 Canterbury .. .. 38 36 53 Wellington 77 61 90 Auckland 53 60 97 Totals 203 184 278