YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 45, 4 November 1946, Page 5

YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS

NEW KERRIDGE-ODE.6N CLUB^

LESSONS IN CITIZENSHIP

Linking the theatre, now recognised the world over, as the most powerful influence for educating and moulding young minds, with the training in citizenship of our young New Zealand children of school age, the Kerridge-Odeon organisation which controls no less than 150 theatres throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion, has given active promotion and sponsorship to the 'Young New Zealanders Club.'

In Whakatane this new movement, which will be launched on the 9th of November (tomorrow .week) in the Grand Theatre, will be based on exactly the same lines as the Y.N.Z.C. branches all over the country. It is described as an effort to link the happier family or club spirit with the cinema, and to break down the more formal atmosphere always associated with the theatre. It is an endeavour to sow the seeds of decent free-minded citizenship in a large way, over the great inass of children picture fans and to this end the Kerridge-Odeon group has of its own volition accepted the heavy responsibility of endeavouring to instil such social qualities as thoughtfulness for others, honesty, sportsmanship, loyalty to and pride in their own- country.

The slogan 'uplift with a smile' will be the keynote of the administration of the club, from which the atmosphere of the schoolroom will be entirely eliminated. The club gatherings, in Whakatane will be held in the Grand Theatre every Saturday afternoon at 1.30 p.m. and actual membership is open to all children attending school. Proceedings will open with club song. This will be folowed by the National Anthem, played from the screen by a full band in colour film.

The 'promise' renewed .at each meeting is as under:— Promise to tell the truth, to help others, and to obey my parents and guardians. Promise to be thoughtful of old folks, to be kind to animals, and always to play the game. Promise to try and make this Great Country of ours a better place to live in.

The local club will be backed up by it's own Children's Committee which will assist the 'Club Captain' (the theatre manager) in the running of programmes, which will include apart from especially selected films all of educational value, juvenile items to encourage local talent, and competitions for which suitable prizes and certificates will be issued. The weekly entrance fee will be the usual 6d, but if through unfortunate circumstances a child is unable to afford this small sum, it will not be debarred from any of the club benefits.