Appointment Of Youth Activities Staff Urged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32060, 7 August 1969, Page 14

Appointment Of Youth Activities Staff Urged

Many young people in| cities were living in a limbo, the secretary of the Canterbury Youth Council (Mr L. Goughian) said at a meeting of the council last evening. Commenting on a recommendation from the South Island youth conference at Lake Tekapo that local bodies be urged to appoint youth activities officers, Mr Coughlan said it was imperative that such officers be appointed to combat the problem of unattached young people. Because so many problems were associated with youth, it was strange that more attention was not paid to them. “I understand an officer has already been appointed in Auckland and is doing a really good job,” said Mr Coughlan. “Yet' there is room for another still. Auckland

has the largest Polynesian community in the world. “It is all right to say that the Government has youth recreation officers, but these have to work through a central headquarters in Wellington. “I am the Department of Internal Affairs youth advisory officer in Christchurch, but how many people know me?" Mr Coughlan asked. “In Christchurch, with its rapid development, there is great scope for an officer appointed by the City Council.”

Mr Coughlan emphasised that the youth council was organised to help all young people, not only those belonging to organisations. He said he had considered advertising for youth group leaders as many of the public wanted to do this type of work.