YOUTH FORUM

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30780, 18 June 1965, Page 14

YOUTH FORUM

Vacancies Exist

A statistical survey carried out by the Justice Department in 1963 has revealed that 34 per cent of all brides in New Zealand were pregnant when they married. It was also revealed that one out of every five girls under the age of 25 was an unmarried mother, while nine out of every 100 marriages ended in separation or divorce.

The young people in Christchurch are attempting to meet this problem and the Canterbury Regional Youth Council has arranged a “youth forum.” This will be held in Knox Hall on Saturday, June 26. The theme will be “Youth and Love," and it is hoped that after a day’s discussion more people will be made aware of the situation. Individually and as groups they can then work out means of combatting the problem. Well-qualified speakers will initiate and lead the discussions.

Mr and Mrs H. E. Cohen, both qualified psychologists, will discuss “The Mature Personality.” Three speakers will combine in a discussion of “Boy and Girl Relationships.” They will be Mrs F. G. Paine, the secretary of the Methodist district education council; the Rev. R. Marshall, a member of the Methodist Youth Movement district council, and Mr W. A. Meates, a secondary school teacher and former All Black, and past president of the Christian Family Movement. Mr Peter Parr will act as chairman.

There will also be a question box and the closing session will consist of an open forum to decide what action should be taken. Altogether the forum will attempt to meet a serious problem in an informal manner.

While the response has been quite good, there are stilt vacancies for the forum. Anyone wishing to enrol should telephone John Currie (Islington 4196), or Janne McCorkindale (78-571).