LACK OF OUTLETS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 25 November 1941, Page 2

LACK OF OUTLETS

DELINQUENCY CAUSE r \ OUNG COAST MAORIS SPIRIT PROVED OVERSEAS The record of the East Coast in providing examples of youthful delinquency in recent years, and the lack of suitable outlets for the high spirits of youth were linked in a speech made by Mr. I. ‘S. C. Dalgairns. at yesterday’s function in Ruatoria celebrating the opening of the new courthouse there by the Minister of Justice. the Hon. H. G. R. Mason.

The speaker said that he had had occasion, as a member of the Peace Commission, to deal with a number of cases of petty crime in the district. Other justices had had the same experience, and probably would agree with him that the prime cause of this petty crime was the heavy burden of time on the hands of the younger folk. This was due, of course, in the fact that young people on the East Coast, and particularly young Maori, people, could not find the normal outlets for their high spirits and energy. Employment avenues were restricted, and even where work was to be found, it was decidedly restricted as to variety. ‘‘Nothing Basically Wrong” Only when this condition of affairs was corrected could the youth of the Coast be expected to find its time fully and usefully employed. Then there would be little trouble with juvenile delinquiency. he predicted. There was nothing wrong basically with the young people of a district which could provide so large a proportion of the country’s fighting men In a crisis such as the present war. It was possible to forgive much to a generation that distinguished itself as the younger generation of Coast men had distinguished itself in fighting ir< the Middle East. At that momenf; no doubt, men from the East Coast were engaged in the terrific fight on the Western Desert, and doing as well as anyone there. What could be wrong, fundamentally, with such a generation? he asked. The speaker concluded on a breezy note, suggesting that the early future would prove whether the new courthouse was too good for the people of the Waiapu, or whether the Waiapu people were too good for such a courthouse.’