Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1944. COMMUNITY CENTRE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1944. COMMUNITY CENTRE.

QULTURE is a misunderstood word, with many meanings. The dictionary declares that these range from breeding oysters, labouring with plants, to education and refinement. To some, the mention of “culture” raises suspicions of high-brow standards, and perhaps a touch of snobbery. AH will agree that culture to some degree is essential if the best of life is to be enjoyed, but there is less unanimity as to what is culture. Few communities admit that they lack culture, just as few individuals confess they have little sense of humour, but there is evidence, even in Grey mouth, of scope to develop what is good in brain and brawn, intellectual tastes, manners, and appreciation of the higher things. Sports and physical culture maintain creditable standards throughout the country, but as the radio programmes demonstrate, New Zealand is not leading the world in what is termed lor convenience, culture. Any movement to improve the nation, or communities in this respect deserves the fullest support.

A meeting in Greymouth, last evening, supported the formation of a community centre, with several attractive features. The gathering was but preliminary, and a larger public meeting is to be convened to have the project more adequately discussed. The town is in need of some such centre, but persistent enthusiasm as well as money will be required to obtain the deserved success. It has been proposed that the centre should be the district’s special war memorial. The Avar has reached the stage where the subject of national, and district memorials has to be seriously discussed. It is to be expected that the controversy during 1919 onwards will be revived as to whether these memorials should be utilities rather than ornaments. There is much to be said for each school of thought, and each district must decide for itself, with the opinions of the U.S.A, as representing the soldiers, themselves, being given adequate consideration. Should dissenting opinions become acute, it would be wise to keep separate the proposed community centre from the Avar memorial, otherwise establishment will be less likely.

It is gratifying that serious attempts are being made to arouse Greyniouth icsidents from their usual apathy towards community welfare topics. The Progress League, for instance, has demonstrated just how much requires to be done before the borough can sit back satisfied, and it is to be hoped that the enthusiasm hitherto displayed by the League will not be soon exhausted, the few being left to do what is the concern and duty of all. There must always be leaders and initiators, but these cannot do much unless widely supported. Those who have tried in recent decades to instil greater civic pride in Greymouth have cause to be disappointed with the result of their efforts. If a community centre can help to achieve what has hitherto proved unattainable, the cost will prove a good investment. Greymouth seems to be offered another chance to remedy its communal defects.