JUNIOR COUNCIL FOR CITY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 17

JUNIOR COUNCIL FOR CITY

Committee To Consider

Proposal

A committee of representatives of Christchurch young people's organisations has been set up to consider the need and desirability of forming a youth council in the city. The committee has been instructed to formulate the purpose and objects of such a council. This was the outcome of a meeting of about 80 young persons, representing 25 youth organisations in the city, who crowded the lounge of the City Council chambers last evening to consider the formation of a youth council.

The committee consists of the representatives of the 25 organisations present. One person was appointed to represent nine young men and women who attended as individual citizens.

“It’s been a wonderful meeting. I’ve never been to a meeting where so many expressions of opinion have been voiced,” said the meeting chairman, Mr A. S. Hollander, a member of the City Council, after the young people had debated various ideas for two hours and a half. “I think the enthusiasm and spirit shown tonight augurs well for the junior council—l am sure of that,” Mr Hollander said. There was opposition from several speakers to the immediate setting up of a youth council on the ground that its purpose and objectives were undefined, but the suggestion of setting up the interim committee to report back to a further meeting to be called was approved unanimously.

“Sounding Board” For Youth A junior council could well be a sounding board for the ideas of the young people of Christchurch, said Mr Hollander, opening the meeting. Young people should have the opportunity of discussing all things which applied to them as the younger citizens of Christchurch,

Suggesting topics that a junior council might interest itself in. Mr Hollander mentioned apathy in local body elections, a town hall (“after all, it has been reported in the papers that you are the people who are going to pay for it,” Mr Hollander said), a town hall site (“that shov’d be ouite an interesting subject at the moment”), and more sports grounds for the city. The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) outlined the objects of a young people’s council as he saw them, and thanked the young people for attending and showing an interest in local government. ‘You know, we on the City Council feel that the apathy of the general public towards this important part of social life is terrific.” the Mayor told the meeting. “If there Is any action taken which will benefit the young People of Christchurch Til be behind you,” the Mayor said.