THE BOY AND THE MAN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11649, 13 October 1923, Page 4

THE BOY AND THE MAN

That the boy is father of the man is a fact grasped firmly by the Rotary Club. The realisation is the reason why the club has arranged an annual muster of the hoys of the city, ostensibly for their amusement, comfort, and, in a certain degree, instruction. This is in accordance with the club’s main principle of service, expressed in its motto of “Service before self.” Service to the community can be done in many-nvay, for the general betterment, by practical inculcation of high ideals of conduct. In tliie instance the club has determined to begin with the youngest section of the community, caring for tho boys of the present so that the men of the future may he upright citizens, respecting practically in their daily lives the principles which develop high national character. This touches a large subject of many sides—home life, education, amusement, apprenticeship being prominent in any survey that may be made. At the outset there must he no misunderstanding of the object of tho Rotary Club in selecting this method of service. It is not taking it up as a reformer butting in with new ideas. The club fully realise® that the young people of the city are looked after by many institutions, with many earnest workers in the Boys’ Institute, Sunday schools, the scout movement, in the public schools, and so forth: the list is well enough known. The club recognises not only the good work these earnest people are doing, but that they know more about their work than anybody else can possibly know, for they are known by long experience and close familiarity. The Rotary Club simply wants to help on the good work, which, like all good works in our midst, wants help. Modestly refraining from any attempt at control, the club offers sincere, earnest, and methodic co-operation. For this cooperation all the bodies engaged are grateful. They have, in fact, welcomed it, and the muster of next week has been arranged with their approval and co-operation. Last year a good beginning was made. There was a great muster of boys, and they enjoyed themselves greatly, all the more so as they took a considerable part in iheir own entertainment in the Town flail, and, of course, did wonderfully in thl incidental outdoor gathering. It was a pleasure to see so many bright. faces, to hear all their laughter and fun, and to mark the fine brisk spirit' of all their gaming. Next week this pleasure in the pleasure of these happy young people will be repeated. Of that we can be certain, including the appreciation of the serious things so pleasantly said by the various entertainers in the Town Hall, and the huge enjoyment of the boys in the amusements provided for them, enjoyment manifest in the doing of their share of the programme, one of the heartiest, wholesomest things in ,the world. On Friday evening the hoys will assemble at various points, converge on the Town Hall, and then have a good time, as they had last year; and for this they will all feel the better. On Sunday there will he suit&blo sermons for boys in many of the pulpits in the city, and there will be messages for the parents. The latter will he an important feature, for home life is the greatest thing in the life of the young people, for whom family ties and home pleasures are the best foundations of the good living which is the distinguishing mark of good citizens. Amusement is good, education is good, boy scout work is good, boy clubbing is good—all these things are good when properly direoted in hooks, pictures, games, and what not. But without home life they are fruitless. Tha object of every boy’s training is always to give him a sound mind in a sound body. But the home life must keep its leading place in that training. For without home life and a strong love for it, there cannot be true soundness of mind, and if the mind is not truly sound, the body cannot he truly sound either. In this respect, Rotarinns and all other people must remember that service, like charity, according to the proverb, begins at home. After that the benefits of the mass training in school and sport, amusement, and business, will follow surely enough. Next week’s celebration is mainly of amusement, with much of higher purpose added. It should have the best wishes and support of the community.