THE KING'S JUBILEE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22519, 13 March 1935, Page 8

THE KING'S JUBILEE

NATIONAL THANKOFFERING MANSION HOUSE FUND OPENED (United Press Association.) vßy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, March 11. At tlie request of the Prince of Wales the Lord Mayor of London lias opened a Mansion House fund in connection with the national thankoffering. A message received on March 2 stated: —Such a large gathering, including religious leaders, responded to the invitation of the Prince of Wales to attend a meeting to inaugurate a scheme for a national thankoffering to celebrate the King's jubilee that it filled two great rooms of St. James's Palace. The pVince, standing in a doorway, addressing both simultaneously, revealed a plan to form a King George's Jubilee Trust to assist the local extension of the existing voluntary youth' movements. He emphasised that millions of British people wished to express to the King deep thankfulness for his reign. While people would be celebrating the jubilee with a diversity of local activities and ceremonies, it was also felt that the year should not be allowed to pass without a permanent thankoffering in which to pour out gratitude and loyal affection. " I can think of no call making so universal an appeal as the call of youth," said the Prince of Wales. " I have ascertained that nothing would give their Majesties greater pleasure than a thankoffering devoted to the younger generation. I, in common with you, am concerned with boys and girls after leaving school until the age of 18, when they enter an unfamiliar world at the most critical moment in their physical, moral, and mental development, needing discipline, friends, and opportunity which we can give. Over half a million boys aged from' 14 to 18 are drifting into manhood lacking guidance and an opening for their natural high spirits and ambitions. There is no sadder sight in the world than aimless, dispirited youth, and nothing more heartening than boys and girls in organisations ensuring amusement, physical and mental, and spiritual fitness, and the mutual service that makes people great. This trust could possibly assist to develop it. It is proposed later to form a committee to assist in framing the proposals for submission to the King. Meanwhile, we need not await finance, but can recruit helpers for the undertaking." THE DUKE'S CONFIDENCE (British Official Wlrelesß.) RUGBY, March 11. (Received March 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The Duke of Gloucester, who is on the homeward ijourney from Australia, telegraphed to the National Association of Boys' Clubs, of which be is president, expressing his confidence that there would be enthusiastic support for the Jubilee Thankoffering Fund recently inaugurated by the Prince of Wales to aid and extend the existing voluntary organisations which are working for the welfare of youth in the United Kingdom. J