THE SCHEME OF THINGS: By M.H.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 13

THE SCHEME OF THINGS: By M.H.C.

Wellington people must often be reminded- of the well-known story of the "Mad : Hatter's Tea Party" in "Alice in Wonderland," when she walked into a nearly empty table to ba greeted with loud cries of "No room; no. room" — for so many desirable and pleasant things are suggested for the benefit of the health of the people, old and young, and then comes the cry "No room; no room." A very interesting speaker recently addressed a meeting of women pleading for "community centres" for the young ones, especially for those who have just left school and have entered upon factory or other work. She has had the opportunity of observ. ing community centre work in America and England, and is convinced of its value. ■-,

Those who' are observant, or who have opportunity of knowing what goes oh in children's courts in other places, cannot' help being saddened by the lack of self-control and the plea-sure-seeking that goes on in the cities among the young ones. The causes are not far to seek. There is a certain gallant crew of young folk who play cricket, basketball, and other good outdoor games—as many as can be found room for. Others manage to join in the indoor games such as ping-pong, folk dancing, gymnasium work, but

whose colour or design make trimming unnecessary. I The newest celanese fabrics, also only for export, have been used by a number of designers for overseas models. Ninon for blouses, tucked all over, with long bishop sleeves, are exquisitely dainty—and yet they wash lyOne lovely tea gown model by Worth, made for South America, in soft rose celanese satin, looked exotic and expensive, and yet I "was assured it would "launder" perfectly. Thus, by combining practical materials with picturesque: styles, women can preserve a dainty charm ; while practising severe dress economy,

very sdon the cry is heard again of "No room." Quite a:' number"'of .officers, girls, and young men have .tried to find places- where they, can, make their community centres—-although they dp hot call them by that name—^arid again there are ho halls or big rooms or any other places suitable.

• Efforts have been made to get the use of some of the roofs of the higher buildings, without success, as they have not been specially built for young people's club use., "No room" again. It is all so tragic as good game grounds and rooms are so necessary for young people who, after they have done play<in^ in the streets or in the few school grounds, have taken (at the age of 14). !<to work." They just go to picture^, more' or less educational* but generally less, or haunt the streets. or, sbmertjiiries the near-tqw'n parks, where there -is little or no supervision.

It appears that the community centres in America.and England are established in good numbers so that they can be easily^found and joined- Botn indoor and outdoor games are provided by older people, and there is plenty of room for. everybody, both in summer and winter, and a wholesome atmosphere and great helpfulness found. Here there are a very few centres such as the V.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., Toe H., and a number of smaller centres! round the churches and some attached to schools. All do good work, but. the number who attend these is infinitesimal in comparison with the number of young people wanting clean, wholesome, inexpensive amusement, . But there is "no room." When will the older people wake up to the absolute importance of taking better care of the young folk out of school or work hours, so that instead of idling about and neglecting the useful classes, etc., which are provided here . (though in scanty numbers), they will learn the joy and value of both work ■ and. play of the right kind? What is needed is the kind .of other folk who will see to it that there is "Plenty of room,"