USE OF LEISURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 302, 22 December 1945, Page 4

USE OF LEISURE

ADVICE TO CHILDREN “SOMETHING FOR NOTHING” TREND CONDEMNED (0.C.) Hunterville, Dec. 21 That “spare moments were the gold-dust of time” and should be used to full advantage, was the main theme of the address given by Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P., al the breaking-up ceremony of the Hunterville Consolidated School on Thursday. “I have no objection to the leisure time ot the people being increased,” he raid, “cut 1 am concerned that those leisure moments should not be wasted.”

A big responsibility devolved upon teachers and parents to-day because a “something lor no.hing” philosphy had gained a great deal of ground. This, Mr. Gordon went on, could only be countered by character building, by working for Iho.e things which were really worth while, and by cultivating cultural habits m spare time. He appealed to the children to s.rive along these lines as in their hands, alter all, lay the destiny of this fair land. “Men in the forces have won the victory; they have preserved our freedom; now it is for the boys and girh—the men and woman of to-morrow—io strive for and win lor all time ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards all Men,’ ” he concluded. The headmaster (Mr. G. Snaddcn) had something to say, too, about the growing icsponsibili.ies of educational authorities. “While the Government is active with social problems.” he raid, “we are more directly concerned with ihe repercussions of the wai on Hie characters and oulook of the rising generation The acid test is being applied to life, with what results no one can al present say. War has shaken and unsettled all groups of ; cvely, especially our youth Handicapped with confused values and standards. With moral laxity prevalent and the Christian ideaj ignored,

ethical values have been considerably lowered in many quarters. “Modern education,” he went on, “has lor its purpose the development of a full, -sane and rounded file, and the question is mutually being a ked how much is our system responsible for the lack of balance visible in young lives to-day. On account ol inc prevailing confused though s our youth are looking for guidance, and help to those who are older, but find the majority arc I ravelling with them along the line of leas, resi tance. thus a greater strain than ever is being placed on our schools in an effort lo develop sound judgment and a right altitude to life's problems,” Mi. Snaddm dee I a red.