COMMUNITY CLUB SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18059, 6 April 1922, Page 8

COMMUNITY CLUB SCHEME.

CADETS AND TERRITORIALS. PROPOSAL IN AUCKLAND. An interesting description of the Commiinity Clob scheme, recently inaugurated in Wellington by the National Defence League, was given yesterday by Mrs. M' H. Chatfield, vice-president of the latter body, who is at present visiting Auckland for the purpose of securing the establishment of a similar club in this city. The club has been established for the benefit of senior cadets and territorials, the object being to encourage a spirit of true citizenship, loyalty and comradeship in young New Zealanders, and to mako the young men and boyß feel that their fellow-countrywomen care personally for them, and appreciate the fact that they aro in training for the protection of women and children and tho homeland should ever need arise. Mrs. Chatfield explained that the National Defence League recently ran a soldiers' carnival in Wellington and secured £1500 for the establishment of the club. The Defenco Department granted the use of a large building, which had been divided into separate rooms for the cadets and territorials. A canteen had also been established, this being run by a Houso Committees consisting of 100 voluntary women workers. Tho club also included a library, provision for all kinds of indoor games, musical entertainments, and billiards, while a boxing competition wao now being arranged. "The idea is really to make the boys feel that they have tho interest and the social sanction of the country behind them," said Mrs. Chatfield. "As General Sir Andrew. Russell said in a recent address, much was done for members of the Expeditionary Force, but little or. nothing for tho territorial or senior cadet, who is compelled to serve whether he likes it or not. An important part of tho scheme is tho course of educational and medical lectures which has been arranged, consisting of addresses by prominent men and women. The ideal of the club is identical with that of the Young Citizens' League,, and is in reality an extension of the work for tho older boys who have not had Uia advantage of young citizen training." At the request of tho boys, continued Mrs. Chatfield, the club was kept open on Sunday afternoon and evening, thus providing interest and a wholesome environment for a largo number of young men living away from home, to whom Sunday was always, a lonely and unoccupied day. The average attendance on Sundays was from 70 to 100. The entire management of the club lay in the hands of the boys themselves, who were proud of the privilege of this responsibility. Tho olab was free to every cadet or territorial attending parades, tho boys paying only for their food and billiards. The National Defence League wishes to extend the scheme throughout New Zealand, and a public meeting will be held in Auckland shortly, at which the establishment of a Community Club will be considered.