YOUTH HOSTEL MOVEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27054, 1 June 1953, Page 10

YOUTH HOSTEL MOVEMENT

EXPANSION IN N.Z. CONTEMPLATED

FACILITIES FOR OVERSEAS TOURISTS Throughout the British Commonwealth, North America, Northern Africa, and Western Europe, thousands of tourists and citizens are taking advantage of the facilities offered by the Youth Hostels’ Association, an international organisation to which 26 countries are affiliated. New Zealanders who have taken advantage of these facilities through the New Zealand branch, are enthusiasts for a scheme which enables a person, whatever his means, to tour a country without having to meet hotel expenses. Last week in Christchurch, the New Zealand association, which has for 21 years been confined to Canterbury alone, took steps towards spreading the movement throughout New Zealand. At its twenty-first annual meeting, the association agreed to amend its constitution to provide for the setting up of local branches and local committees for those branches. Youth hostel enthusiasts throughout the Dominion, who hitherto had to be content with being a member of the New Zealand association —a somewhat retricted membership as the movement is only operating in Canterbury—have now been given the opportunity of starting branches in their own districts. The youth hostel movement was formed in 1930 in England. It is a voluntary, non-profit-making body, with the object of helping all, but especially young people, to a greater knowledge, care and love of the countryside, through the provision of simple accommodation for them in their travels. There are chains of hostels in many countries, in buildings ranging from old farm houses, water mills and mansions, to modern specially-designed hostels. Many are of considerable architectural and historical value, but the accommodation is usually simple. Beds and blankets are provided, but members must use a sheet sleeping bag. Washing facilities and a commonroom are usually available and a kitchen with utensils where members can cook their own meals. Most hostels ovei’seas are only open from about 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next day, and members are expected to assist in making beds, washing dishes, cleaning, sweeping, and such other duties as may be required by the hostel warden or party leader. Stay is limited to three consecutive nights except in special circumstances. Hostels in New Zealand

In New Zealand there are 13 hostels In the Canterbury-Westland area—all self-cooking hostels where members prepare their own meals. At present there are no resident wardens, as conditions under which hostels are operated in New Zealand are different from those in other countries. The hostels in Canterbury consist of shearers’ quarters, a school, cottages and huts, and there are useable chains on Banks Peninsula and through Harper’s Pass. As yet no blankets are supplied and very little in the way of cooking facilities. Funds are being raised at present to build a new hostel at Arthur’s Pass to replace the exist 1 - ing accommodation. Membership is open to all, irrespective of age, sex, race, religious or political beliefs. Only one condition is imposed—those who stay in hostels must travel “under their own steam.” Horses, canoes, walking or cycling or normal public transport can be used if necessary. Travelling by car, however, is forbidden. The membership costs are small, the subscriptions ranging from 5s for a junior (individual) member, and 2s 6d and 5s for junior and senior members of affiliated clubs, to £1 for an international card. At present in New Zealand it costs Is 6d a night, but it is likely that this w’ill be increased to 2s in conformity with overseas charges and to meet increased costs. The New Zealand association is concerned about the limited facilities in the Dominion. It was this concern that prompted the amendment to the constitution. The association believes that althoqgh many hundreds of New Zealanders nave used overseas hostels, little reciprocity has so far been offered to overseas visitors and new settlers.

This is to some extent borne out by the figures for the number of “bed nights” occupied by New Zealanders in hostels overseas and those occupied by both New Zealanders and tourists in Canterbury. In 1951, New Zealanders overseas occupied 12,024 “bed nights,” while for the same period in New Zealand the figure wac 1050. In England (excluding Scotland and Northern Ireland) and Wales, during 1951,303 hostels were used for 1,135,680 “bed nights,” and in Germany, 596 hostels were used for 4,516,635 “bed nights.”

Need for More Hostels The association believes that more tourists could be persuaded to New Zealand if the hostel facilities available in Canterbury were spread about the North Island and the remainder of the South Island. At the present time, however, the only tourists from overseas given the opportunities of seeing all the natural beauty in New Zealand are those whose finances will not be strained through hotel expenses. Plans have already been made for expansion in the Wellington district It is proposed to obtain hostels within easy week-end reach of the city for those who like cycling or walking. For a start, accommodation will have to be very simple, perhaps merely a shelter and straw palliasses, but as finance becomes available it is hoped to instal bunks, blankets, and cooking facilities. An interim committee set up in Wellington considers suitable hotel circuits from Wellington would be Waikanae-Reikorangi-Te Horo, Waikanae - Akatarawa - Upper Hutt, Hutt Valley - Haywards - Pahautanui Day’s Bay-Wainui-o-mata, and later on, perhaps, Wellington-Masterton-Woodville - Palmerston North - Otaki Tramping clubs, a ski club, and a cycle

touring club in Wellington are already affiliated to the association. 1 Thirty-one organisations throughout New Zealand are at present affiliated to the association and shortly a campaign will be launched to obtain new club and individual members. Twentyeight individuals in Auckland and some organisations are members of the association, but as yet there is no organisation or hostels in that district The association has a total membership of 895, of which 317 are international members (those who wish to use overseas facilities).

Voluntary Efforts In some areas, members wishing to establish hostels and branches have approached the Physical Welfare branch of the Internal Affairs Departs ment, which has given the scheme its whole-hearted support. High building costs have largely been overcome by the association in Canterbury, through the voluntary efforts of members. The building of hostels in this area has largely been carried out by working parties and in at least one case, a hostel was erected for £7. In this instance working parties—men and women—used tractor packing cases and timber from wai assets. The building was prefabricated in Christchurch, then transported by truck to Banks Peninsula. The hostel, measuring 14ft by 14ft. sleeps 24 persons and has been used extensively. The association believes that similar low-cost hostels can be erected throughout New Zealand if the members are prepared to work on them.