OPTIMIST CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1938, Page 4

OPTIMIST CLUB

ADDRESS BY MR KEMNITZ Some interesting observations on America and American youth were made by Mr J. H. Kemnitz, of Masterton in an address to the Masterton Y.M.C.A. Optimist Club last night. Mr Kemnitz, stressed the value of travel early in life. It helped, he said, in the formation of views that would bring about international understanding. The first thing that struck the visitor to America, said Mr Kemnitz, was the vastness of the country. The second remarkable thing was the pace at which the average American lived. He was always in a hurry. There were 1200 universities in the United States, continued Mr Kemnitz, all of them . amazingly equipped and splendidly staffed. Many of these benefits were made possible by lavish endowments. Basketball, played at a terrific pace, with “yell leaders” raising enthusiasm, was a popular gymnasium game. In some parts of the country very little football could be played, owing to' the frozen state of the grounds. In summer, baseball was the national game. The system of awarding degrees in universities, Mr Kemnitz said, was not entirely by examination's, but by a system of credits throughout the year. While in some colleges, degrees might be obtained with comparative ease, in the more famous institutions, that was not so. In conclusion, Mr Kemnitz said that while he had had a great time in America, and met some wonderful people, he, nevertheless, felt that his choice of a country to live in, would certainly be New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Kemnitz for his address.

He is to speak again at next week’s meeting of the club.