LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20720, 6 May 1937, Page 11

LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

APPEAL TO YOUNG MEN INTEREST DESIRED An appeal to the young people to take a more Intelligent interest in the civic, professional, commercial and industrial life of the community, in preparation for leadership in the future, was made by the retiringchairman of the South Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce (Mr J. S. Satterthwaite) at last night’s annual meeting. There was a large attendance. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman said that the report disclosed another year of steady progress. The past year had provided many opportunities for the Junior Chamber of Commerce to build up its organisation and enable its members to derive much benefit by taking a definite active interest in all business affairs and civic problems. The co-operation and help given by the Senior’Chamber during the year in all matters had provided members of the Junior Chamber with the opportunity for exchange of views and opinions which could reflect only advantageouely to all members concerned as well as to the mercantile and other business interests which they represented in the community. To the Council of the Junior Chamber he recorded thanks and appreciation for the loyal and energetic support they had given him in furthering the interests of the South Canterbury Junior Chamber during the year, and to the secretary (Mr P. W. Young) for the manner in which all business had been attended to.

Mr Satterthwaite said that recently he came upon an appealing motto which he believed lent itself to a little elaboration —“Come out from among them and be separate.” In industry, in the professions, in whatever field they entered, they would find that the motto was of the greatest importance. Was there any adequate reason why a man with the intellectual riches of the day within his grasp should remain content to be one of the multitude—to be average in ideas, to be narrow in outlook, to be poorly developed in mentality and with little or no ambition? Was there any reason why a business should be content to be regarded as an “average business,” satisfied to plod along well trodden paths beset by custom and tradition? But let them be frank with themselves and say that no business could rise above the capacity of its leaders. Urge to Improve

They had been given heads to use as earnestly and as aggressively as they would so that all other things being equal the average man remained average by reason of the absence of effort or opportunity to improve, said Mr Satterthwaite. In every business undertaking, large or small, the energy that implemented its development, its guidance, must determine whether that business had “come out from among them and is separate” or whether it was an ordinary, everyday, average sort of business. The individual who planned a new road over which humanity must pass, who evolved a new thought, who inspired a new idea, who viewed ambitious events from a new angle—it was he who was the creative force separating himself from his average fellows. An urge to improve should be developed so that they could take their right place in the sphere of commerce. To have confidence in oneself was an asset which can be acquired only through the many experiences of life. Confidence fought a way through obstacles, impelled the man to go on to better things. Active membership of a Junior Chamber of Commerce, and its attendant opportunities for exchange of views and opinions, provided them not only with a training ground for young men of commerce but it was a means of simulating the ideal of public service, said the chairman. Who knew, but that some day from the Junior Chamber of Commerce might rise the leaders of commerce of the country—the leaders of national and local government. To-day, as never before, the young men must take the greatest interest in current affairs. As young citizens of Timaru and members of the larger citizenship of the Dominion they must interest themselves in promoting the orderly progress not only of their town and district but of the country and the great Commonwealth of British Nations of which they were proud members. The motion was seconded by Mr A. Lawson and carried without discussion. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted: Chairman, Mr J. C. Kay; vice-chair-man, Mr C. T. Ballantyne; Council, Messrs D. Maze, H. Washboum, S. H. Bird, M. C. Gresson, K. S. Brown and F. G. Lewis. The thanks of the Chamber were extended to Mr Satterthwaite for his good work during the year. Mr E. G. Kerr, jun., congratulated members of the outgoing Council on the success of the year’s activities, and a vote of thanks was accorded them.