THE OLD ADAM

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 4

THE OLD ADAM

[Bj WHIM WHAM] That strong action Is needed to ensure a healthful and purposive use of leisure by a greater number of young people was contended by a deputa-’ tlon from the Auckland branch of the Young Women’s Christian Association, which waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E, Parry) at Auckland. The deputation suggested the compulsory registration of all children on leaving school. Alarm was expressed by the deputation at the ‘‘unprofitable, even dissipative, manner in which many young people spend their leisure.” The Minister said he would give serious consideration to the request, but he thought that anything tending to make a child feel he was in a strait-jacket should be avoided. —Press Association message. With ever-rising Consternation I watch the Older Generation, Unhealthy, idle, and ill-taught, Undisciplined in Act and Thought, ' Proceeding in The Paths of Sin— A poor look-out for Youth, that strives For better Days and brighter Lives! By much industrious Research— In Pub and Club, at Home, in Church— I’ve dug up Facts, gnd Figures too, Which, if exposed to public View, Would raise the Hair Of All who care For Decency. Ah, they would find Dark Corners in the Adult Mind! The Things I could, but won’t, report Are not of the enthralling Sort Presented as the shocking Truth By-Workers in the Field of Youth. No, at the Stage Of Middle Age, A Sin in which we specialise Is casting Motes from Others’ Eyes. / When Social Evils multiply, Abandoned Youth is blamed. But why Correct and scold the Young glone, Exempting all the Fully Grown? Why be content To regiment The Young, and not prescribe a Cure For Those who think themselves mature?