"WHAT SHALL I DO TO-NIGHT?"

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17740, 17 April 1923, Page 9

"WHAT SHALL I DO TO-NIGHT?"

THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S PROBLEM. A SUGGESTED SOLUTION. "What shall I do to-night?" is a query repeated probably thousands of times daily in a city liko Christchurch. Hundreds and hundreds of young people between tho ages of fourteen and twenty ask themselves tho question, and it is undoubtedly a fact that at tlie present time tlie auswer is a difficult one to give. Society is essential to the growing boy or girl, and to the fortunate it is available in their homes. But fotee of circumstances in many cases makes this desirable home life quite impossible, while in many cases the boy or girl is living away from home. Many homes aro small, and a mother of many children is unable to encourage hor growing boys and girls to bring guests to tho home. .Many people inveigh against the rising generation as one given up to a craving for excitement and pleasure, but such criticism is by no means constructive. What does the community offer in the way of gaiety and amusement to its young people? Not a great deal. Relaxation is Essential. Hundreds of young people in Christchurch are engaged in essential trades and occupations which are almost entirely mechanical. For eight hours oacli day the body performs its functions in the factory and workshop. But what of tho evenings! Youthful vigour demands an outlet, and relaxation is absolutely essential. The community as a whole must be held responsible for tho manner in which this outlet for youtlifiil vigour is provided. The Present Position. In tho matter of parlc3, playgrounds, and swimming baths, Christchurch lias done well for its young peoplo, although there is an increasing demand for moro tennis courts 011 which the rising generation can learn what is one of the most health-giving of all games. It is in the facilities for indoor recreation, however, that tho city has so far neglected its duties. On cold winter evenings tho streets are neither a elioerful nor a desirable place for young 1 people to spend five or six nights a week. Thoro remain tho picturo 'theatres and tho dancing halls. In the picture theatres impressions of a very vivid kind aro made on plastio minds, but there is no chance for the self-expression which is essential to the proper development of healthy men and women. , In any case the young people in the city should not have to go to tho pictures more than -once a week in order to fill up their ovenings. In tho dancing hall there is plenty, of expression possible, but only of one kind. It is obvious that there should be places of indoor recroation where variety of amusement and opportunity for self-expression would be available. The Proposed Solution. At tho present time several occupations, are availablo to young people out of work hours. There are technical school, W.E.A., St. John Ambulance, and art classos, but the proportion of young people with strength of mind to begin such studies is small. Any solution of the difficulty must be free from any suggestion of compulsion. It must give expression to the social needs of young men and women. The occupations indulged in must be primarily' joyous and gay, and only secondarily instructive. A recreation centre on linos such as these is shortly to be opened in Sydenham. Miss Marjorie' Black, of the Toung Women's Christian Association, is in charge of tho new movement, which, it is hoped, will solve a difficult problem for the young people of Christchurch. Many men and women are working hard to make the proposed club a reality, and citizons are being asked to make annual contributions to what _all must recognise as a movement intimately connected with the social welfare of the city. A "Press" representative jvho discussed the movement with one of its leaders was impressed by the vast possibilities opened up, and it may be affirmed with confidence that the project will receive the support it deserves.