YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 3

YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of the Advisory Council of the Young Citizens’ League was held last night, Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown presiding. Tho organising secretary, Mr O. D. Har die, in the course of his report, stated that since the last meeting of tlio council tho activities of tho leaguo had been directed chiefly to the holding of initiation ceremonies and tho distributon of cards of membership. Twenty-four schools had been visited, and 1619 members had been initiated and presented with membership cards. Five schools had branches of the league over 100 strong, and the average of 67 per cent was wonderfully promising, considering that only the senior pupils had been approached. Some ten schools in' which branches were formed earlier in the year still remained to he visited for the purpose of initiation. From these upwards of 600 more members were expected Arrangements had been made to have a supply of badges manufactured locally, and those would be sent to the various schools on application. Already some 350 had been asked for. Interest at the moment con tinued to be well sustained, and teachers and school authorities generally had been most sympathetic. It was a matter for regret that funds had not allowed of the purchase of further supplies of the “ young citizen.” They had hoped much from its introduction into tho homes. He suggested that the most profitable investment business men of Christchurch could make just now was an annual donation to the funds of the league. The raising of tho moral standard of our future citizens should be worth something even in £ s i\ and a movement which instilled in tlio youth of the community the highest ideals of life and duty was worthy of tangible assistance. The report was adopted. Mr G. T. Booth, on behalf of tlio Finance Committee, reported that the net re ceipts to date amounted to £64 12s, and the expenses to £55 15s Gd. However, there was a sum of £2O to the Auckland branch for copies of the “ Young Citizen,” so that there was an apparent deficit cf £ll 3s 6d. This amount was just about covered by donations promised hut not yet paid. The results of a canvass for donations had been somewhat disappointing. The report was adopted. Mr Bevan-Brown said the league had great possibilities, hut money was needed Tho finances cf the league were assured in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. The league was undoubtedly doing good work, and no one who saw the seriousness with which tho children took their pledges would doubt this. But the work would not stop here, for the t-eachers had promised to keep tho ideals of tlio league, such as love of God and country, truthfulness, service and purity. before tho pupils. They also wanted to get in touch with young people outside the schools, lmt they could not do this without funds. Mr C. E. Cutten, S.M., had written to him expressing pleasure at the work don© by the Christchurch Council in tho schools. In Auckland th*-y had concentrated more on tho formation of clubs in the outlying tmburbs. The council was trying to carry out the objectß of tlio league, hut they were approaching a crisis in that they .ad no funds to secure copies of the ‘ Young Citizen” or membership cards. They could not even pay the organising secretary's travelling expenses, lot alono an honorarium. 'l'he speaker appealed to members of the council to help to raise funds for the league. Mr Booth, on behalf of the Finance Committee, mowl that adult members should ho elected to the league by the Advisory Council, the annual subscription to be, men 10s, women ss. In seconding the motion. Mr H. Holland paid a tribute to the work done by Messrs Bevan-Brown, Bardie and W. T. Charlewood. Ho said that every citizen should support the league, which was out to comba-t tho oil influences at work at present amoiicit the yonng. Mr S. E. M’Car thy said there was no need to paint our young people black, hut it was necessary to keep the ideals of good citizenship before them. Mr F. Deveratl said that the cost of enrolling members had been only about 8d per head. lie thought that once tho people of Christchurch realised the importance of the work of tho league they would support it Mr Booth's motion was carried, and several present undertook to enrol adult members. Mr F. Deverell and Mr G. Ilolford were elected members of the council. It was decided to call a meeting of the General Committee in a month’s time, and to invito tlie public to attend.