A REMEDY NEEDED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7870, 12 July 1905, Page 2

A REMEDY NEEDED.

A deputation which recently waited on the Premier gave expression- lo what is apparently felt by most uf those who live in cities and towns, relative to the growth of intemperance amongst the youths of the colony. The most -marked feature of this evil is, that taking the youths individually, there is hardly one in a thousand Who would subject himself (« tit; degradation o! intemperance Were it not for the fax;t thai he is induced thereto by others oi his own age ami weak temperament. We are confident that no young man of the true colonial type would either have any inclination for, or take the slightest pleasure in drinking liquor by himself, and that it is only when in company nitli others that the incitement becomes contagious. This in itself is a hopeful sign, for the 111di\idual may see his folly and bring to his aid sufficient- will power lo resist any tendency to excess. Taking our young men. as u whole they possess many qualities that are not so conspicuous .in a similar class to be met- with in other countries. Self-

reliant (at times rather too much so), overflowing with animal spirit, JgOod-uatured, and physically strong, the youths of New Zealand have Unmaking of excellent men, if Iheir energy and aims are turned into i-ly? right channel. At present there is much need for some elevating agency to prevent the spread of the evil to which we have referred. Unfortunately they seem to be drifting into a, vortex of unhealthy excitement,

and it is at times when an; event happens in which their interest is cent lt d Jvat they lose their manliness and become unhinged. After a football match it is not uncommon to stc youths the worse for drink, and in '.hat state they will sometime so far forget themselves as to atu-n • some social gathering and cause iioublc or annoyance. No | doubt they ieel ashamed of them- ' selvis jn the morrow, but that does not cover their folly. The question is, Vili.it remedy can be provided? The problem is one that has often been discussed but new solved. There is, however, a real need for sonic place where youths can meet and Ulk over their sports, etc., and tit, re is also the question of providing an outlet for their surplus energy. The desire for self-improvement nisy come later ; meanwhile, it has to he discovered how they can be indeed to make good use of their spare time, and build up their constitutions instead oi destroying them. Until the problem is solved we can only urge the coming men of the colony to look the evil of intemperance fairly and squarely in the face, and refuse to come tinder its baneful influence. It will be all tho better for them, for their parents, and for the community, if they devote their energies to some good purpose worthy of the free and independent people of the colony.