THE GUIDANCE OF YOUTH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 55, 27 November 1937, Page 4

THE GUIDANCE OF YOUTH

As reported elsewliere to-day, the Rev. Canon Mortimer Jones in his address at yestefday's luncheon meeting of the Hastings Rotary Club touched on a subject that is just now elaiming niarked attention in seveial quarters of the world. That is the need of some friendly gitidanee being provided for the youth of botli sexes during the interval between the time of leaving school .and the time of seriously takiiig up life's work, sav, for the great majority, between the ages of 14 and 18 years, and for some even as late as 21. It was only a few days back that oneof otir cable messages qlioted Siv John Simon as spcaliing on the same subject in the Old Country, whilc a day or two later we were told of a ffesh Uiovement in Germany designed to discoveer and train young folk who miglit be regarded as likely material from which leaders in nationa] affairs might he shaped. This latter is, of course, only a spccial outbranch from the general plan of youth training which has heen adopted in (lermany under Herr Hitlcr, and which has something of a counterpart in Italy under Signor Mussolini. Xndeed, Sir Jno. Sinion practically admitted that it was these movements in Fascist countries that had prompted him to recognise and to speak of the iieed for some like course being taken in dcroocratic countries, tliough, of course, liot necessarily along the same Imes. In both G-cremany and Italy the process is alniost avowedly being pursued with aggressive militaristic objects in view, a tendency which it is certainly not desired to inspire among British. youth, though it may be quite necessary to arouse in them a definite realisation of the need, under the present troublous conditions that afflict the world, to he ready in unsoUght emergency to defend themselves. It can scarcely but he that all thoughtfnl seniors, even in this little country, must recognise the need for some such national movement as Sir John Simon has advocated for the Old Country. There can hc little question but that the i period between the ages mentioned is about the most danaerous j of a man's life. It is then that liahits and inclinations are formed that may be all for the good or all for tlie bad in after years. Nor can our eyes be closed to the fact that modern. life lias multiplied temptations to going in the wrong way, while, at the same time, there is an ever-growing restiveness against parental control and direction. Present-day youth is increasingly disposed.to take the bit in its 'teeth and to resent all attempts either to curb or to guide it. There may be something good in all this as evincing an earlier devclopment of the sprit of independence" and self-rcliance, which, entirely by the way, can scarcely he said to he encouragcd hy the doctrines our present Government is trying to ineulcate and to put into almost compulsory prcatice. At thesame time, however, while there may be even some adiniration for this tendency to self-sufficiency onthe part of youth, it can scarcely but be that it would he none tha worse that its activities should have some friendly guidance born of the experience of the elders. The probleia is as to how this guidance is to be applied in ways that will mahe it acceptable to tliose for whose beiiefit it is exercised. "Tliere are ali'eady among us some very adinirable organisations and institutions that are quietly and unobtrusively doing excellent work along these lines that meets perhaps with less public apprcciation than is due to it. But it is now felt that something more hau this is required and that like schemes should be evolved on something of a national basis, with a view to tiding yoUtli over the perilous period, made all the more perilous by the increased leisure time that is being placed at its disposal. Our Governmeiit has, laudably enough, set itself to devising means whereby youth may develop itself in bodily health and fitness. May we look to it to also give a lead in providing hneana whereby, - youth in the mass may also qualify itself mentally and ethically for the fulfilment of the more serious duties that helong to good citizensliip? That there is itrgent need for some such lead cannot very well be disputed, alid perhaps it may be as well for the thoughtful amoilg Us wlio realise this to bethink themselves as to whefcher it is not time to mahe a definite moVe that will be altogether divorced from politieal influences.