OCCUPATION FIRST

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1932, Page 6

OCCUPATION FIRST

PAY IS NOT ALL-IMPORTANT.

FINDING 'WORK FOR N.Z. BOYS

WELLINGTON, November '22. ( ‘lt is upon youthful environment and opportunity that the true patriot must ever keep a vigilant eye and employ a resourceful brain,” g.aid his Excellency the Governor-General, lord Bledjsloe, at the opening of the Dominion Boy 'Scout Council, referring to unemployment among boys and the , value of the scout movement in keeping boys occupied. “The executive rightly 'expresses iff it's report grave concern about the baneful effects of the rinormab unemployment position upon the older boys who, under ordinary conditions, would have been 'absorbed in industry,” saia his Excellency. “So-called ‘enforced idleness’ is more calculated to undermine character and destroy self-re-spect than any other ' influence. -I say ‘.so-called’ because, although unemployment may be inevitable, idleness is : not, at least t 0 one who has had the training of a scout. “Desirable though it is from the standpoint of the State- and the parent that boys should have remunerative employment of a wholesome charactei, it is far more important that a boy o r adolescent should find some occupation for hi 6 hands .and his mind than that he should be paid for j.t. Indeed, unless lie does there is a prospect of the. State having ultimately to u-uffbr loss financially and ethically, and a potentially useful citizen becoming a burden both to the comim.unity and himself. And the more active-minded end capable the hoy, the greater are his potentialities for d°moralibation unless scope can be found eonti,nvoerlv for the salutary, or at least the innocuous, expenditure of his energies.

‘•The 'same individual is often potentially the greatest 'saint and the greatest sinner, a, man of eminence and a debased criminal, according to environment- and concluded his Excellency. “It is upon youthful environment and opportunity that the true- patriot must ever keep a vigilant eye and employ a resourceful brain.”