The Hokitik Guardian THURSDAY, OCT. 20th, 1921. A YOUNG CITIZENS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1921, Page 2

The Hokitik Guardian THURSDAY, OCT. 20th, 1921. A YOUNG CITIZENS LEAGUE.

“1 promise, oil my honour to do my host, day hy day, in thought, word, and deed, to oeoome a good worthy citizen. 'l’li,. foregoing is the promise mttdo b.t intending inemhers of the doling Citizens’ League, the objects «f which were outlined at a meeting of the Wellington branch of the Now Zealand Kducn. tional Institute last week by delegates from the League -Messrs 10. C. Oitt-m, ml,’ fa, (' Purdie (secretary of the Auckland Education Hoard), Dr C. E. Maguire (superintendent of the Auckland Public Hospital), and Mr M. Stehhing (organiser). Tim league was formed in Auckland three years ago and has been growing steadily ever since. There was a large attendance of

teachers at the meeting, and great enthusiasm was shown. Mr A- C. Flake presided. The delegates were introduced by Mr T. Forsyth, chairman of the Wellington Education Board. Mr Cotton said that teachers were members of one of the greatest professions in the world. The fact that presentday mothers were apt to relegate their duties to teachers made the work the more important. . The league had 'been highly recommended by many organisations ami individuals. I here was a nurgent need for the league, Its Hero was a serious moral slide something that must In*stayed. 1 here were nianv institutions striving to deal with young people, vet notwithstanding something more had to be done. Hio league was formed with three objectTim lirst was to stir up the public conscience, to interest the jmblie mind, and to draw its attention to what was required. The second was to interest itself ill till' existence, of welfare institutions, such as the boy scouts, and oilier bodies. The league's object was to •o-orilmate the work and to assist it for tha production of the best results. The third object was to start league clubs. Those clubs were for girls as well as for boys, anil the constitution

and arrangements were very simple. There was very great freedom, and one mixed dub bad the best results of the lot. Practically the whole of the leach ing profession was at the back of the league otherwise success could not

have been obtained. The league journal wont to noon brinies. a.s the league , wished to reach the home. It aimed ,'-t a system ol character education supplementing the system of education. AD Purdie stated that nearly all the teachers in. Auckland with sympathisers with, or active workers for, the loague. “Existing agencies have failed, ’ he said. “They have lost grip over (be people. As 1 look round, T see one institution rising more and morn in O-e world—tli» teaching profession. The time will come when the teachers’ pro. fession will be looked on as occupying the most honored place in the commuii- . jty.” Mr Purdie added that there was no doubt that some parents bad nbiogated their obligation to their children anil the lengmi set out to remedy 'bis Public opinion bad been stirred up. Business men bad guaranteed the league. The league meant to stem the tide of irresponsibility and its inevitable end among young people. Dr Maguire spoke of the country's need for healthy children. “There is a virile yellow race knocking at our door,’’ lie said. “The yellow peril is more dangerous than most people imagine. They lay stress on the physical education of children. That is wltat, we want.” The need of a country for the best type of citizen was stressed by Mr Stebbing. After telling of the league’s work in Auckland. Mr Stebbing said that there were many people in Mt. Eden Gaol because they bad been neglected as children. He bad seen prisoners. on one occasion, and lie considered that a tliinW*of those be saw ‘did not have criminal faces. The war’s toll bail made it- necessary for the country to look at affairs in their true light. “If you build character, von gain some thing that will assist you in times of emergency,” said Mr Stebbing. The cbairmnii, after thanking the visitors, suggested that parents would be reached through the children, which meant that the League was doing splendid service.