CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 63, 15 March 1944, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

PLEA FOR YOUTH

To the Editor.

Mr. Watt's plea for youth is timelv Youth's problem does not reside in' the present, although the present has aggravated the malaise; the rook of the trouble are in the past anri the economic upheaval immediately following the last war. Unless a wise policy is adopted here and now the position will become increasing difficult until the desperation and frustration of youth is increased Wp shall then deserve that they turn and rend us. The exuberance of youth—and who would have youth other than exuberant?— must find outlet; the task of wise men is to provide that outlet. This is thp work of educational and economic experts who seem to be failing S ie nally to justify their existence Educationists seem hide-bound bv the restrictive and obstructive methods of static conceptions lack ing in imaginative vision and nrn phetic spirit. To make the parent* the scapegoats is drawing a herrinj? across the track; it just won't do Parental control is not what is callpri fey, but self-control. If we would In with youth instead of opposing it we could be constructively helnfnl' instead of critically repressive wp could gain its confidence instead of its antagonism. Make life interesting for youth and youth will take carp of itself. Give sufficiency, security and hope, and the problem is solvprt automatically. Our world is a rapidlv changing system of ever-increasing complex problems. If we can solvp the youth problem we shall haw done something to justify our pyict ence. JL. BOND.