YOUTH COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1944, Page 7

YOUTH COUNCIL

OBJECTS DEFINED

RESOLUTIONS OF SYNOD Resolutions passed- lay the Diocesan Synod yesterday defirifed the objects of the Didee'san tfdUlh Council and indicated, the scope of the organisation. The liiagnitu'de of tlie tagk thdt confronts the Ghurch in dealing with the probleAis 'of youth, accentuated by wartime conditions and unrest in the post-war period, was stressed by speakers. The resolutions were moved by the Rev. J. A. Jermyn (Lyall Bay), who said that the attitude of the Government, particularly the Internal Affairs Department, towards recreational facilities had been of considerable help. He hoped that the diocese would eventually nave its own youth centre and buildings. The objects of the council were to co-ordinate and encourage, and where possible to develop, the children's and youth work of the diocese. Further, without interfering with their existing organisations, to act as a correlating and advisory body to such institutions as the Bible Class Unions, the Sunday School Teachers' Association, the Girls' Friendly Society, and similar groups; to investigate fully the problems oi youth in tlie diocese, and in collaboration with the Provincial Youth Council to study and report on legislation affecting sex relationships, vocational guidance, and, in the post-war period, rehabilitation. To bring before synod from time to time the needs and requirements of the diocese for the full development of its youth work; and to establish ultimately a Diocesan Youth Department, with a full-time, trained specialist to give effect to its policy. The scope of the council's work was to include the fostering and promotion of the Young Anglican Movement; keeping prominently before the youth of the Church the challenge and call of the Church to the ministry and the teaching profession; the institution of regular instruction in leadership, through study courses, traini g weeks and similar methods, with the object of raising the standard of all youth workers in the diocese; the sponsoring of youth camps, rallies, and retreats for the young men and women, boys and girls of the Church, in collaboration with other dioceses in New Zealand; full co-operation with the Diocesan Missionary Committee, the Social Service Board, diocesan synods, and girls 'and boys' homes; co-operation as far as possible with the youth organisations of other churches and with Christian youth organisations, in accordance with the policy of the Provincial Youth Council; and the ' consideration of the purchase and control of camp sites. Mr. H, R. Hicks (Lyall Bay), who seconded the resolutions, made a plea for the 18-year-olds. He said they had been called up and kept in camp long enough to destroy their youthfulness and make them cynical. Then they were put back into civil life again/The man-power authorities sent youths away from their home environment. There was a terrific problem there, and the Youth Council felt that that field should be investigated. The council considered that the young people in all their stages should have every opportunity that could be placed at their disposal. It did not want to regiment them or to make them grow up in one common mould; it wanted them to have the means by which they could become true churchmen and churchwomen. He would like to see in time the establishment of a Youth Department, which had proved extremely useful in other dioceses. Other churches were fully alive to the problem.