Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 42, 28 April 1933, Page 4

Editorial Notes

es Wellington, Friday, April 28, 1933

THE talk given last week from "" 2YA by Mr. Stuart Wilson upon "Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs," and their activities over a period of fourteen years in this Dominion, will have given city listeners a real glimpse of the value of this movement to the countryside. Tt cannot be too often emphasised that New Zealand in its entirety owes its development and presentday attainments definitely to agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The export wealth of the Dominion is accounted for to the extent of some 98 per cent. by the products of agricultural and pastoral activity. While there are throughout the Dominion a number of thriving towns and (in ordinary times) prosperous cities, it has to be remembered by every intelligent citizen that those very towns and cities owe their existence to the quiet, persistent work of the country dweller. The waterside worker lives by handling the exports of the farmer, and the imports in return to service both him and those who serve the farmer. The typist in the city office, the girl behind the counter, the tram conductor, the newsvendor tramping early morning streets, the garage man tending the city merchant, the accountant, the advertising maneven those whose work at first glance has no connection whatsoever with primary pursuits-can he shown on analysis to owe a definite debt for a part of their livelihood to the service rendered either to the

countryside, or to those who serve the countryside. OF course there is reciprocity. The country people in turn owe much to the steady, persistent service given them by city dwellers and city interests. We are in reality one community, and not two, and the town versus country cry that is occasionally raised in ‘the Dominion is wholly to be condemned. because it is essentially shortsighted and fails to realise the inherent unity of the Dominion’s economic life. For that reason, therefore. Mr. Stuart Wilson is to be commended for plecing hefore city listeners details of the valuable work being done among the vouth of the countrvside by these Agricultural Clubs. Since the Dominion depends for its maintenance and exnansion upon the products of the soil, it is vital that those handling the soil should do so with effeiencv 2nd a love for their occunation, The time to instil that regard for countrvside pursuits. end a desire for fullest efficiency in connection with them is in the early stages of life. The ideal sown. therefore. amonest the members of the Agricultural Clubs. of high efficiency, cannot he too highly commended. As Mr Cockayne. Director of the Fields Division of the Deyartment of Agriculture. eloquenth wrote in one af the letters quoted by Mr. Wilson:-"The chief value of Bovs’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs to the members themselves is the realisation that effort directed towards the growing of crops. the rearing and menagement of live stock, apart from being of monetary value, creates an absorbing and permanent interest in country life. An Agricultural Club member tends at once to look to land as the most heneficial of all gifts, effording possibilities as wide as the skill and energy that is anplied to it. He turns automatically to country life, realising its houndless possibilities for a happv and contented existence. A real and ‘substantial development of Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Cluh activities would on the one hand arrest the tendency towards the city drift. and on the other hand would lav the firm foundation, of successful farm practice. " WHILE in the past a certain small amount of financial assistance and much effective personal co4

operation have been given by the Government and branches of the Government service, it was regrettable to learn from Mr. Wilson that, owing to the depression, the small amount of financial support necessary for the successful continuance of the movement had been withdrawn. This is definitely regrettable and, as Mr. Wilson said, shortsighted. It was his purpose to inform the public of the situation. ith a view to exercising pressure for the restoration of the support desired. Greatly as we appreciate the need for economy, we support Mr. Wilson in feeling that economy

in this direction is a case of cheeseparing, the effects of which will be nationally uneconomic. The whole effect of the movement is to increase efficiency. Just how vital a stimulus is given to farming skill is shown by the record of amazing crops grown by the various cupwinners. "Fancy," es Mr. Cockayne, already quoted, says, "yields of over 40 tons of potatoes and nearly 200 tons of mangolds to the acre. Baron Munchausen could not have beaten these, but they are actual achievements of members, in the latter case indeed by a girl, no pad P prelude to a successful farmer’ s CITY listeners, impressed by Mr. Wilson’s advocacy, will, we

hope, extend for the future a sympathetic and understanding regard to country problems, and appreciate: that, however remote the connection may seem, there definitely is a tie between every rural dweller and city inhabitant within New Zealand. ; 1

‘Ninety Days’ Leave " | Is the title of ‘an Indo-Trans-Oceanic Travelogue in Ten Atmospheres, which will be presented in a Recorded Novelty Fantasia from 4YA On MONDAY, MAY 1. ko ve