YOUTH'S OPPORTUNITIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 99, 29 April 1935, Page 6

YOUTH'S OPPORTUNITIES.

EXPERIENCE IN AUCKLAND,

(To the Editor.) Answering your correspondent. "Average Young Man," he will agree that there are two sides to every case, hence, as one of tho audience at the Junior Chamber of, Commerce publicity committee luncheon addressed by Mr. Alan Doull, I feel I must in fairness to the speaker, who was the guest of the committee, explain the other side of the case. It was unfortunate that the 1 ress reports, omitted tho speaker's remarks preceding and after, the statement to which your correspondent takes exception. Mr. Alan Doull briefly referred to the activities of members of the junior chambers of commerce in Great Britain, America and Canada, and drew a comparison between tho keenness of those young men in civic and national affairs, and the apparent lack of interest shown by the average young New /ealander. He stated that the young men of this country did not seem to be making use of tho opportunities for self-advancement and progress that are all around us to-day, and the other speakers concurred. I, too, agree. It is not denied that the young men (have been hit by the depression, but is it not true that when employers found it necessary to retrench they discharged employees who were the least efficient #nd indispensable? You seldom hear of an employer discharging an efficient, active worker. Mr. Doull was basing a portion of his argument on the knowledge that out of a population of approximately £10,000 only about 100 young men of Auckland have enough interest in their own progress to become members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. There should be 2000. Here is an organisation which offers to young business men and others training in many branches of commercial life, through the contact with other young bwhness executives, the exchange of commercial ideas, discussions on national problems. Tho debating club coaches them in public speakin"', conduct of meetings and debates. Hence in view of the opportunities offered, the officials of the Junior Chamber of Commerce can be forgiven for believing that young men do not want to progress. Opportunities for selfadvancement are definitely knocking at all our doors, but too many of us have been deafened by sport and pleasure. Furthermore, the numerous young men in control of large undertakings, managing big departments of commerce, are proof that they at least have seized the opportunity to progress. "Average Young Man" must not be content to "cling desperately to his job." He must make himself indispensable to his employer, prepare himself for the big positions. Dr. Fern said recently, in the Town Hall, "What do you do with tho hour after dinner in the evening?" Now what do you do with it? LAN ARCHBOLD.