YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18385, 25 October 1921, Page 5

YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE

AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT. DELEGATION FROM THE NORTH. The members of the delegation from the Young Citizens’ League, of Auckland, woo are touring New Zealand in an effort to awaken the consciences of the communities visited, have a thrilling story ,to tell ot tne success of the movement m Auckland. The fact that the representatives are Messrs E. C. Gotten, S.M., E. C Purdie (secretary of the Education Board), Or Maguire (medical superintendent o » Auckland Hospital), and Mr H. f^ bll ' 1 ’ (secretary) speaks volumes. io-nigm, as the Y.M.C.A., members of the delegation will-address a meeting of citizens interested m lnterviewed" on his arrival, Mr Cutten «iid he would like it made clear thot the league was intended to assist. exiting we fare mstitutions, and not to in an -Y . ... ■ with their work. The obiocte of the league were, first, te arouse the pubhc con science to the present state of “-ffairß an to the need of everyone interesting himself in the matter of the welfare of the young neonle of the dominion; secondly, to galvanise the existing welfare. institutions and get them to co-ordinate t he ,w work, Thirdly, to form girls' and boys clutt when necessary, so that there might be. welfare mstituticns where all boys and B! r ’ s J^ 00 " the ages of 10 and 18 might receive training through mental, and |J, activities, supplemental to the educatio jrjven under tne State system* .. S The league in AuoVdand, Mr Wten said, had been in existence for aboutthroe with remarkably successful results. Public interest in child wehare had e " arous ® d v Tlio Existing institutions had been very greatly assisted, and, m addition to that there were 1200 boys and girls m the league’s clubs, the greater numberofwhom had not previously been attached to any welfare organisation The work of the clubs was carried on by between W and 70 people not previously. connected with any social work. The delegation had witfi it numerous resolutions commending the work of the league. These were from the Auckland Cty Council. Labour Unions, various Sous bodies, the Headmasters’ Association the Assistant Masters Association, and’several friendly Reties There was also a personal letter from Mr J. H. Gun son. the Mayor ot Auckland. . ~ Mr Cutten said that it is the intention of the delegation to pet into t«h ™ the various welfare organisations of Dunedin the educational authorities, and leading citizens, after which a public meeting wdl he convened by the Mayor (Mr J. ■S. Douglas), when the delegates will have the opportunity of placing full particulars of the movement before the people. Mr Cutten explained that each league would be independent and self-contained. The leagues, however, would join m. tne election of a dominion president. Dominion conferences could then he called periodically regarding social welfare work among the young with the obicct of improving methods as from time to time seemed to be advis--B'since setting out on its mission the dele(ration has been successful. xn establishing leagues at Wellington and Olmstohurch, and the members are confident that the same success will be met. with in Dunedin. The Head Masters’ Association in the north has specially commended the aims and objects of the league, and the work accomplished in Auckland, to the Teachers Institute here, and the secretary of the institute has called a special meeting of that body for to-morrow evening for the purpose of meeting Mr Purdie. The- attention of members of the Otago Educational Institute and teachers of private and secondary schools is directed to the meeting to be held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms to-morrow evening, xhe Auckland and Wellington , teachers are among the most active supporters of the Young Citizen League, and it is at the particular request of the Auckland Educational Institute that the Otago Branch, along with the Male Teachers’ and Women Teachers’ Associations, are interesting themselves in the delegation. Members of the Education Board and school committees are also invited to be present to hear the objects of the league.