ORGANISED GAMES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 8

ORGANISED GAMES.

FOR PREVENTION OF YOUTHFUL

OFFENCES,

An official statement issued recently says that efforts are being made, >>y the formation of juvenile organisation committees throughout Britain, to reduce juvenile offences by providing j addition means of healthy recreation for young people who, owing to the' war.' are without adequate control. The statement recalls the fact that j the Home Secretary in December, 1915, appointed a Standing Committee of representatives of various organisations concerned «in providing recreations and occupations for girls and boys'to consider how this important work could be extended and encouraged, particularly with a view to reducing the number of juvenile offences. This Standing Committee has recommended the establishment of juvenile organisatipon committees in all large towns, and last year, in over 50 large towns, committees

were appointed, consisting of represeos | tatives of all the voluntary orgams#ss tions working in theso towns, togettorf with delegates from the local educatlcio® authorities, juvenile employment randS? after-caro committees, school teachers'? associations, magistrates, and prol>asfe tion officers. Many of the newly-ej.® tablished committees have been ablo!sf open new clubs or to reopen old onesif which, owing to shortage of worked® had been closed since vtVie outbreat'iifK war, and their experience has alr&jw shown the value of united • actioaSifflf preparing and developing schemes recreation for boys and girls. The Standing Committee is moting similar local bodies in Y'otWf® municipal boroughs and urban in England and Wales and Scotla'%'s and hopes that soon the whole counij®! • will be covered by in forwarding schemes for healthy recreations and fostenfljlfcij! <orood ptiblio. spirit apiong young pie. There is evidence that one.® the causes of the recent serious *8® creage in juvenile delinquency is ttaf diversion to war duties of the s3§ vices of men and women who, XlnJ means of evening clubs, sports,.ca?j<s corps, Scout troops, and simil.T- "or? gariisations. provided outlets anil risff guidance for the urgent-impulses a™ onergv of youth. A call is |roadc r fdr volunteers to carry on this work """'of •ital national importance '