YOUTHFUL VISITORS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 10, 13 January 1933, Page 8

YOUTHFUL VISITORS

TALENTED BOYS

YOUNG AUSTRALIA LEAGUE

CIVIC RECEPTION

Education by travel is one of the objects of the Young Australia League, the Boys' Band of which arrived in Wellington last evening from' New Plymouth. The boys are travelling right through New Zealand, paying their way by giving an entertainment, "The Sleeping Camp," the net proceeds of which are going to New Zealand charities. In between three entertainments the boys are giving in Wellington they are sightseeing, and at noon to-day they were accorded a civic reception in the' Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. One could not help being impressed by the behaviour and discipline of the boys, some of them very little fellows, as they'left the New Plymouth express last night. There was no scurry. or commotion- such as one expects from a band of small boys, the party leaving the train in a most orderly fashion and lining up on the station platform with their baggage in front of them. Outside, the Port Nicholson Silver Band was drawn up, and as the boys marched to their special tram it struck up a march. The Port Nicholson Band also rode on the tram,.and played through the city to the V.M.C.A., where most of the boys are accommodated. To-day at noon the boys assembled at the V.M.C.A., and marched in band formation to the Town Hall for the civic reception. They attracted much favourable comment by their smart marching and appearance in dark blue uniforms and blue and gold capes. The civic reception was originally arrarged to take place in the Council Chamber, but so great was the attendance of the public that a shift had to be made into the Concert Chamber. . "A GEEAT IDEA." After apologising for the'absence of the Mayor, who, he said, was taking a well-earned rest in another part of the Dominipn, the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. W. H. Bennett) said that it gave him great pleasure £p welcome the young friends, or perhaps ho should say young cousins, from across the Tasman. "I think," said Mr. Bennett,""the interchange of visits among young people for educational purposes is a great idea, and does much to wipe 'out any fear there may be of antagonism between various parts of the British Empire. Although we live in different. parts of the world we have all sprung from the same stock.' I am particularly delighted to be in a position to welcome our young friends, because for fourteen years I have been chairman of the Technical College Board of Governors, which has brought me into close" contact with the young people of this city, and therefore my feelings for them are of the highest. I am told ( that the visit of these young people is an educational one, and while I do not wish to inflict a long speech on them there are a few things for their own benefit I might mention in a short way." : , BENEFIT IN AFTER LIFE. As the boys passed up and down the Dominion they would find no two cities alike, each having its own . characteristics. They would find many' items of interest during their travels which would be, of great. benefit to ■ them iv after life, aa they took positions of authority in municipal and other walks of life". Who was to say that there was not a future judge, a prime minister, or a councillor among the boys there today? For in the British Empire every public position, was open to the people except possibly that of GovernorGenera], and Mr. Bennett was not sure that in the future this position would not be open also. • Mr. Bennett then reviewed the early history of Wellington, and mentioned that this morning the boys had been shown over the milk station, which was an undertaking not in operation in any other city of the world as a municipal enterprise.. He proceeded to quote comprehensive statistics in connection with other city departments, giving the length of the streets, the amount of rates collected, the revenue of the Tramway Department, and other extensive statistical information. : ATXDIENCE EE/3TIVE. The audience became very restive and the speaker was repeatedly interrupted with ironical applau.se and stamping and cries of "What about the boys?" . . "I have given these figures more in an educational capacity for the visitors arid not as an entertainment for you " Mr. Bennett went on.- "Although they have been prevented by, in my opinion a ridiculous resolution from playing in our streetse-(hear, hear, and loud applause)—not from a fear of their playing, but for fear " ' A voice: Of riots. (Laughter.) Mr. Bennett: I am assured that ttie Playing of the boys was not particularly desired Voices: Who by? voice: T.he citizens wanted Mr. Bennett left the topic, and concluded by formally welcoming the boys and expressed the hope that they would take back with' them very pleasant of their cousins across the "A JOLLY SHAME." irTllpia?7n<!e manager of the party, Mr. Gladstone Hill, said that the trip would not have been possible had it not been for a few of. Ms friends in Umstchurch who rallied around and tormed a local committee, and for Messrs. Mitchell and Burdekin in Wellington, and others who had formed committees in the other towns tho party had visited. He thanked everyone who had billetted boys, stating that .twenty-six of them were under twelve years of age. "I will admit that I feel very sore about the regulations preventing the boys playing through the streets," he continued. "As an exWellington resident I think it is a iolly shame." (Hear, hear,, and loud applause). Mr. Hill said he would not have mentioned tho matter had the Deputy Mayor not done so. He paid a tribute to the bands throughout New Zealand for the welcome they had given the boys. ' AIM OF LEAGUE. Mr. J. S. McGowan, the officer in charge of the party, also expressed his thanks for the welcome, saying that the hospitality the boys had received throughout the country would be something they would never forget "They were having a very happy time, and they were a very happy band. As an example of what the league was aiming at Mr. MeGowan said that in one town a boy had been given a case of fruit and immediately, shared it • with his' mates. This was the spirit the league was trying to foster, brotherly love It gave them .education by travel, which he considered1 was better than all tho book knowledge and learning at school. The boys were not only ambassadors for Australia, but would be great travellers for New Zealand when they returned. J The boys then showed their appreciation of the welcome by giving their cry A Sky Socket," and they showed that they are a musical combination of hiwh ability, by, a. spirited and melodious i

rendering of the march "Colonel Bogey." The proceedings closed with the playing of the National Anthem by the band. To-morrow the.band will have a radio test, and will later be taken over the match factory. NEW ZEALAND BANDS' WELCOME On behalf of the' New Zealand Brass Bands' Association the president (Mr. H. D. Bennett), stated to-day that the visiting band could be assured of a hearty welcome by all the brass bands in New Zealand. The visit of such a youthful combination would be taken by bandsmen in the Dominion as an object lesson, and he felt quite certain that the value of catching the youth even before he left the school would be fully appreciated as a result of the visit of tho lads from Australia.