A CHALLENGE TO YOUTH

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

A CHALLENGE TO YOUTH

ZEALAND, on the eve of Christmas, listens to the tramp of armed feet, marching . . . marching . . . * marching. Christmas finds the world in the shadow of a war. Our land, because it lies thousands of miles from the warring armies, may be spared the visual horrors of warfare. The war machine will not engulf those young people who read " Enzed Junior" to-day. But these two facts in themselves demand a service of the boyhood and girlhood of the nation, for there are services to be performed— services, whilst not of war, are yet war service. e ' In a great democracy such as ours every single person has a part to play. For the grown-up the course is clear. Equally defined is the path of the young folk—that they shall fit themselves to take their place in the new world for which our menfolk are fighting now. The world after a war is a sad place. Demobilised men, and women, too, seek vainly to readjust their lives after long periods of mental and physical strain. Commerce is disorganised and life is almost artificial. It is then that youth must rise up triumphant to set the crown upon the victor's laurels. Youth must pick up the war weary world and by youth's own method make the new peace a lasting peace. So, as 1939 merges into our centennial year, youth will quietly prepare for a service that will be demanded in the years that are to come. Prepared physically, morally and spiritually, spurred and encouraged by the sacrifices that are being made now in their name, the youth of the world will be ready to play their part when the time has come for them to take a firm hold upon the reins. This, then, is the Christmas message of your Editor: " Happiness for this Christmas, and in tVie New Year a j steadfast resolve to prepare for a great task that lies in the 1 I—— years ahead."