YOUNG AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2376, 4 February 1915, Page 3

YOUNG AUSTRALIA

BOYS ON GRAND TOUR FOR EDUCATIVE PURPOSES Commenced in 1905, the Young Australia League has become a solidlyestablished institution, with a membership of 4000, and the basis of the league is "Patriotism." Yesterday a party of ]U6t under forty landed in Wellington from the Maitai, and to-day they go on to America by the same_ vessel. On arrival here the boys; all in distinctive uniform, marched through the Quay aud up Willis Street to the Y.M.C.A. The members were all playing instruments in their band, and the, spirited music and the well-drilled appearance of the lads created: an excellent impression.

I They are on an educative tour through 140 towne of America, their main objective being the Panama Exhibition. They have a epecial invitation from the Exposition Commissioners to represent the Commonwealth of Australia in all international processions' and demoristrar tions. The inland tour in America will be under the auspices of the different chambers of commerce and high echools. Speaking to a Dominion reporter on the arrival of the party yesterday, the director,. Sir. J. J. Simons, said that their great object was educational experience for the boys, by travelling, iind they were also seeking to give every publicity to Australia, it was to all intente and purposes a big advertising scheme. In the party which is now on its way to America every city in the Commonwealth is represented, according to births, but the boys have been selected and trained in Perth, Western Australia. ' For the past eighteen months the tour has been thought of, and the fortunate chosen boye have been undergoing necessary preparation for that time. They travel under the auspices of the Commonwealth Government, and one of the last gatherings they attended on the other side was a send-off, at which representatives of the Fedoral Houses were present.

' Aided by the Government. The party' ie sot going on a large vaudeville tour, > the manager emphasised, and it is net altogether a free trip for the members. The. parents of the boys have to subscribe one-third towards the cost, while'the party will raise the rest of the money themselves. The Australian Government aided them to the extent of £200. - It is expected that the ccet before the full tour is completed will be close on £8000, but there will be no deficit, for the party will pay as they go, and if funds do become scarce ihey will return. The I advertisement to be gained by Australia out of the venture must' result in good, for, in the corps there are fifteen, trained speakers, who will give lectures at the various universities visited on the natural resources and social development of Australia. They also expect to be of special use to the Empire, because, they will be able to etate very oloarly the position of the Commonwealth, and also the Dominion if the New Zealand;people will permit. In the present .crisis they desire- to emphasise how sensitive every branch of the Empire is to anything which affects the centre. Mr. Simons inaugurated the young Australia League in 1905^- with an initial membership of about thirty. The organisation is run largely on the lines of the Y.M.C.A., as every activity, which makes for the well-being of the boje is looked after; but while , the basis of the Y.M.C.A. is religion,. the. .(<2s!s'of the Young Australia' League is' patriotism. This is the second tour conducted byMr. Simons, and he has very .pleasant recollections of a previous visit to WellinKton. The first tour was a worldwiHo one,' and the number taken then, was forty. At that time they had misgivings bb to whether it would unsettle the boys, but since the return of the party every boy has been under observation, and out of the forty the officers of the league could only discover one who was likely to be a failure. On the other hand the beneficial effect on the others was very marked, and they appeared to be better citizens for the experience they had undergone. The eldest 6oy of- that party, said Mr. Simons, was now only twenty-three years of "age, but ten or them were making an average income of £4 per week. The promoters of the idea were well satisfied with that success.

League's Idea Spreading. The idea has caught on in Australia, •and a benefit is expeoted in the future from these educational tours. Similar organisations have been formed in America and Canada, on the same lines w the Young Australia League, and just prior to the outbreak of the war a party of French boys went to Great Britain, and during celebrations connected with the visit reference was made to tfie fact that the idea had been copied from Australia. Those facts alone go to show that other nations tafie notice of such educational movements. When the Science Congress wae held in Australia, the president made some highly complimentary remarks on the value of the tour in Great Britain. He stated that he had travelled in their wake, and the impression they had created had been of great value. While the present party is in Wellington an endeavour is to be made to show them as much of the city and surroundings as possible. Had the boat arrived earlier yesterday they would have been tendered a civic reception, and this will take place at noon to-day. It is also intended that the party shall visit Petone, and go over the Gear Meat ! Works, and the Wellington. Woollen' Company's Mills. A visit to Day's Bay has also been arranged, and Mr. i'W. Allan, president of the Y.M.C.A., will entertain them. They leave by the Maitai this afternoon. The boys gave an entertainment in St. Peter's Schoolroom last night, at which some 300 people attended. The first part of their show is of the sort made familiar by strolling costume comedy companies who have visited the Dominion. Indeed, the dress of the principal performers in this section of the programme, and the general scheme of it, is reminiscent of.parties of profeeiionals who have performed here in recent years. The instrumental music ia supplied by an orchestra, costumed in a ■uniform of green, with gold- or yellow braiding, emblematic of the wattle. The rest of the programme is mado up of vocal and elocutionary items and gymnastic displays. Altogether, their performance was a really good one, and after they have been together a while it will ssuredly be a little better.