H—29

The North Auckland districts present difficulties owing to shortage of Instructors to act as local organizers and district secretaries. Central Otago has always been difficult, even before the war, mainly on account of distances and sparse population. In Westland, although there is at present no Instructor in Agriculture, two clubs have been formed by correspondence. Rotorua is difficult on account of Maori population. Other districts, notably Eastern Southland, North Otago, South Canterbury, Christchurch, Horowhenua, South Taranaki, and Poverty Bay, appear to require some further organization to set them going ; it is considered that a marked improvement will be shown in all these areas in the near future. The figures in the table above gain further significance when it is realized that the revival of about 70 out of the 83 clubs still in recess is a probability during the coming season, and that in many districts the formation of additional new clubs is also anticipated. The present policy, based on experience gained in pre-war years, is directed towards the formation of smaller clubs (with memberships of up to 30 or 40) covering in the aggregate wider areas, rather than the operation of a few large clubs (whose membership often becomes unwieldy) in each district. Some clubs with memberships round about 80 or 90 are considering dividing into two or even more clubs so as to cover the district more completely. This should increase total membership, assist in solving transport problems, and definitely give an added interest by ensuring that the majority of members become truly " active." The tendency in the past has been for the majority of members of the larger clubs to become a mere audience, and this, coupled with the low attendances on account of distances to be travelled, has considerably curbed activities. Major activities are being renewed on a district scale, district field-days, stockjudging competitions, and debating contests having been revived in many areas. Steps are being taken to revive the stock-judging and debating on a Council and later a national scale. The Federation has inaugurated a National Y.F.C. Memorial Scheme to commemorate those members who sacrificed their lives overseas; this memorial will be finalized at the annual general meeting of the Federation in June next. Information is being gathered to assist with the projected Y.F.C. Land-settlement Scheme, and, while there are many difficulties ahead, it is considered possible to work out some concrete method of assisting members desirous of taking up land. The Federation is also endeavouring to sponsor the formation of a " sister " movement for rural young women along similar lines to the Y.F.C. organization; so far the sympathy of the Women's Division and the Women's Institute has been obtained, and there are definite possibilities of such a movement being successfully launched. From the above it would appear that, with the present organization and the prospects of increased staff, the Y.F.C. movement will go right ahead. In every district there is evidence of increasing interest, and it would seem to be mainly a matter of organization and planning to ensure the successful operation of the movement and its complete coverage over the whole of the Dominion.

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