OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 8

OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH.

The problem of the unemployed boy and youth, which was discussed from several angles at the Rotary Club luncheon yesterday, demands the most serious and sympathetic consideration cf every institution in the land, for ii is a national problem from which no body of citizens dare stand aloof. indeed, it is a matter for constructs e thought by every individual who may in any degree help a single boy into disciplined paths of industry. Drift at the critical ago is exceedingly dangerous. Perhaps there is no despondency so serious in its consequences as that which overwhelms youth when it is denied opportunity. Every endeavour should be made to assist the youthful victims of the depression, if oidy into temporary employment. A town canvass is in progress and the Future Farmers' Committee is combing the country for training opportunities, but an important fundamental consideration is that of the attitude of mind of the boys themselves uid of their parents toward the institutional activity and its general finis. While making full allowance for the complexity of parental anxiety there must be recognition of the fact that the unemployed boys of to-day were born and have lived until recently in a period of artificial prosperity and in very many cases have shared with their parents the idea that there must lie a royal road to a satisfactory career, or at the least a sheltered path. This is evidenced in some degree by a common attitude of parents toward a land career for their boys. A preliminary question has often, been, " When the boy is trained what guarantee is there that he will be able to have a farm of his own —we will not be able to finance him." This is quite a natural query, but it is tinged with the modern desire for guarantees from the cradle to the grave. The only guarantee that can possibly be given is that the process of land development and subdivision will continue and that the boy who now starts his training will be the most fitted to seize his opportunity as a filmier when it comes. No matter what institutions may do in opening the door of opportunity for boys, their future to a great extent is in their own hands. Of course, care must lie taken in placinfe boys with the right sort of farmers. They must have the chance to learn the craft, but that done the rest lies with the boy himsclfj as it did in so many cases with his pioneer grandfather, who frequently had to gather his own experience.