GROUP TRAVEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26199, 9 July 1946, Page 4

GROUP TRAVEL

LABOUR PROPOSALS FORMATION OF YOUTH CLUBS (Special) WELLINGTON, July 8. “ Social encouragement to the formation of youth clubs with the object of moulding a proper future for the youth of the country ” is one of the Government’s physical welfare projects as set down by the Parliamentary Labour group in a report to the party. The training of leaders to guide and direct the activities of physical, recreational and cultural organisations where they do not now exist is a feature of the plan. If the proposed school of physical education is established in Dunedin, there is no doubt that trainees for the State physical welfare scheme will be among the students. “Good sportsmanship, courtesy and manners rather than mere physical strength ” will, however, be the goal of the youth club and community centre system. The plan, as reported by the parliamentary group, includes the encouragement and assistance 'of all existing organisations, such as church clubs, councils of sports and other sports associations, to prevent overlapping, and the provision of assistance in the formation of physical, recreational and cultural organisations in districts where they do not exist or are not sufficient to the needs of the community.

Physical welfare officers will not take an active part in the actual government or administration of these clubs or organisations. Particularly will this provision be observed in the case of youth clubs, where members will be trained and encouraged to assume full responsibility for the management, control and initiation of suitable policies for the clubs. Endeavour will be made, Parliamentary Labour declares, to provide every New Zealand citizen with the means of obtaining holidays through group travel, mountain track development. camps and the organisation of the beaches.

Further encouragement is to be given to the establishment of community centres. “ These centres,” Parliamentary Labour states, “ will contain adequate recreational facilities to encourage youth by healthy competition to develop the spirit of good sportsmanship, courtesy and manners rather than mere development of physical strength. In addition, the community centres will tend to revive that fine practice of olden days by which youth and their elders assembled together to enjoy their recreation hours."