YOUNG AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18112, 12 November 1928, Page 12

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE.

ITS AIMS AND WORK. The representative of the Young Australia League (Sir John Tucker), who arrived in Timaru on Tuesday, for tho purpose of securing some Timaru boys tor the New Zealand Company that is being organised to tour Canada, and the United States, has been associated with the movement since its inception. Twenty-two. years ago the League began its operation in Perth, Western Australia, under the direction of Mr J. J. Simons, who, with the assistance oi other young men, succeeded in establishing a movement that has developed wonderfully. Mr Tucker told a “Herald” representative that the first, meeting was held in a room in tho top story of ft warehouse, bub to-day the organisation has one of the finest edifices in the Southern Hemisphere that, is devoted to the interests of the adolescent. By the ef-

forts of the many friends and members of the League the portion completed at. a cost of £30,000, has only a nominal debt, whilst, the completed buildings are estimated to cost £50,000. The activities of youth are catered for ip quite a variety of ways, namely, music, radio, debating circles, gymnastic and touring. Tho three principles on which the League is established are love, service, tolerance. Though undenominational, the qualities that help to make for true manhood are prominent, features in its work. Mr Simons has given -freely of his ability without remuneration since 1906 to the cruise of the youth of his country. His service has brought thousands of hoys to know their own Slate, Commonwealth and parts of the British Empire, in this work he has had the assistance of other scH'-sacrificing young men, who have accompanied the- party on tours, paying their own expenses, and helping to control the young tourists and thus making other lives a, little brighter and bringing knowledge that only travel can provide. The League ir., credited with over 40 tours of their own State and Commonwealth and four overseas tours. With the present proposed tour, Mr Simons

will have directed parties overseas four times. Tlie success of thes© tours has compelled leaders in various parts of the Empire to acknowledge the wonderful ability of the. leader. His Majesty King George V., the Presidents of the Republics, of France and Switzerland, Pope Pius IX, Mussolini, and th© King of the Belgiums, have all sung his praises and those of the objects of tho organisation ho directs. 'Hi© spirit of service manifests itself in the cultivation of a desire to know other peoples and nations. Much work is done to help to bring the youth of Australia in contact with those of other parts of the Empire as well as those of other English speaking nations And so the leader gives up his time to take parties to various countries believing that people, often dislike other countries because of ignorance, or prejudice. If they knew more they would be more kindly disposed to other people who dif-

fer from us. The League believes by acting in concert, the English speaking nations of the world hold the peace of the world in their hands and so tours to the Unitoil States of America, as well as to Canada are arranged to help to cultivate a spirit of good feeling and friendship between the youth of the different nations. . . New Zealand has the opportunity of participating in the projected tour, not because. Australia thinks New Zealand enthusiasts could not do it themselves, hut because they are not. doing it. ’l'lie Prime Minister of the Dominion (Ri. Hon. J. G. Coates) commends the I objects of the. ensuing tour, and considers it should result in further promoting the feeling of good will which, at present exists between Australia end New Zealand. The Director of the League of Nations is desirous of securing advantage to both the Dominion and the Commonweal tli by association of its youths for a. six months' tour. The value of such, he says, cannot, he assessed.