PROBLEM OF YOUTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 249, 18 September 1933, Page 2

PROBLEM OF YOUTH

NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION

“BLOT ON ESCUTCHEON.”

The suggestion that a junior organisation following out a procedure similar to and with the same ideals of service as Rotary should be formed throughout New Zealand was advanced by the District Governor, Mr T. C. List, of New Plymouth, in addressing the Palmerston North Rotary Club, to-day, when lie pointed out that owing to the principles of classification, from which it was impracticable to depart, many valuable young recruits were being lost to- the Rotary movement.

Stating that a Round-Table Club had been formed in New Plymouth as a junior Rotary organisation, Mr List added that it should be possible to form a New Zealand-wide organisation on similar lines, as there was promising material available. Subsequently, when vaca.ncies occurred, there could be admitted to full classification fullyfledged, capable Rotarians drawn from the junior Rotary organisation. It was impossible to admit many young men to the Rotary Clubs as at present- constituted, because that would weaken the classification principle, which was the bedrock of Rotary and on which depended the solidity of its structure, Mr List continued. Dealing with the problem of youth in this country, the District Governor said that Mr F. J. Nathan a week ago had referred to this particularly pertinent question, and the failure to provide for youth. It did seem peculiar that New Zealand should have to face such a problem. Certainly conditions were not as bad here as they were overseas. It was almost impossible to realise the desperation in America, but such a position as occurred here should not be permitted for any longer than was necessary. Mr Nathan had been absolutely right, said Mr List. It was a blot on our national escutcheon that there were so many young people unemployed. There were great possibilities for the use of their services, and for development on all sides. People who were on short rations in Southern Germany, if they only knew the favourable conditions in this country, would soon fill its open spaces.

“We are neglecting our duty,” declared Mr List, who urged that steps might be taken to bring before the next Rotary Conference in New Plymouth, at the end of February next, a scheme for dealing with the problem.