YOUTH’S NEED FOR SELF EXPRESSION

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1948, Page 2

YOUTH’S NEED FOR SELF EXPRESSION

Rotary Club Address

Problems confronting youth had ■ taken on a new significance since the days of Mussolini and Hitler, said Mr H. Gladstone Hill, 'formerly director of music and conductor of the Air Force Band, in an address on youth at the.‘Rotary Club luncheon at Greymouth yesterday. If they were to pass/judgment on the youth of to-day, and make a comparison with those of his dav, there must be a basis of comparison Everyone was subject to, and influenced by environment. They must consider the difference between the environment of youth 50 to 60 years ago and that of to-day, he said.. It could be said at once that during that period, science had completely revolutionised the world —the abnormal of yesterday had become the normal of to-day. Mr Gladstone Hui said that 50 years ago the home meant a great deal more to children than it did to-day. Then, children made their own fun, created their own music, and, in general, basked in the sunshine of personal achievement. There was nothing in those days comparable with the attractions and distractions of the present dav. Half a century ago children lived in a home for many more hours a day than -they did now. The influence of the home was a much greater factor in the training of the young than was the case to-day. a He considered, in the first place, that the cinema had been, and still was, the greatest factor in the disruption of the old conditions of family life. The cinema had a tremendous influence on every section of the community and nothing in the world’s history had ever possessed such powers of attraction and distraction. , x . Isolation had been completely obliterated by plane and radio, and as he marvelled at these things, he questioned whether the modern boy held a similiar view. He did not thing so, because radio and other things were part of his environment and he accepted them as such. Considering these things, he would say that there was definitely no basis, for comparison with the environment of 50 or 60 years ago, and that of to-day. In that case, they were not in a position, to pass judgment on youth of to-day. This did not mean that they did not have some contribution to offer to the problems of youth, but it did call for help in other directions. The birthright of every child was that it should have every opportunity for self-expression, and it was their dutv to see that every child had such an opportunity. BASIS OF CHARACTER

“There are certain fundamentals of life which never alter, and these must be taught as the basis of character,” said Mr Gladstone Hill. “In these days of selfishness and irresponsibility, stress should be laid upon the fundamental principle of character as revealed in the .Golden Rule. Every child must be taught to understand and appreciate the dignity of and .economic necessity for work, and hard work is the only thing that will restore normality to the world to-day”, he said. He added that there seemed to be an insane idea abroad that man could work less, and receive more pay. That was stupidity, and was a tragedy in a world that was hungry for everything that man could produce. Youth, to-day enjoyed privileges never dreamed of 50 years ago, and youth must realise that the enjoyment of the privilege carried with it an acceptance of responsibility. Given such a foundation training, youth must then work out its own salvation. With the* acceptance of responsibility must go authority, and it was here that age often - refused to let go. “As youth takes the helm we must place confidence in him, because responsibility and authority have the most steadying effect upon an individual, and in the case of youth will undoubtedly assist in the development of character,” stated Mr Gladstone Hill. .. . Youth did not want security, he continued. The pioneers did not want security, nor did the cream of young men who enlisted in the armed forces. Youth demanded opportunity, and they must see that he _ got it. Security meant control, regimentation, frustration, all of which led to stagnation. Until the world shook itself free of war-time controls youth would be denied the opportunity to pit his audacity, daring and faith in himself to the test of life. It was only in that way that youth could develop his individuality and reap the results of his own labours. Dealing with the practical side of the matter, Mr Gladstone Hill said he was vitally interested in the boy when he left school, and made his entry into the world of reality. He was' greatly concerned with the necessity of civic and individual interest in youth problems in general and he knew that youth would respond to proper treatment and pay handsome dividends. He added that he was a firm believer in prevention rather than cure. With the shorter working week they must face the position of youths who had nothing definite with which to occupy their spare time. Sport was sport, but it was seasonal, and he said that a band was the very thing, because it was a case of 52 week? a year. His interest in the Wellington Boys’ Institute Band in which more than 100 men and boys were actively engaged, had satisfied him on this point. He had also seen how the work of boys’ bands in other countries received the active backing and control of the pocal police. In an industrial area in •New, South Wales, the Inspector of Police was president of the Boys’ Club and band. . , . Mr Gladstone Hill said that during the Christmas and New Year holidays the Wellington Boys’ Institute would tour the South Island and would appear at Greymouth. Rotary Clubs, Junior Chambers of Commerce, and kindred bodies were assisting by arranging billets. It would Uhen be seen just how much benefit the band was to youth of to-day.