INTEREST IN YOUTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1939, Page 7

INTEREST IN YOUTH

APPARENT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD SOME NOTABLE PERSONALITIES. IMPRESSIONS OF A TOURING •MANAGER. "Throughout the world, the predominant trait of people's character is kindness. especially where youth is concerned,” stated Mr Edward Marie, tour manager of the Y’oung Australians Band and Revue, in conversation this morning with a "Times-Age" representative. Mr Marie stated that he had visited France, Italy, Switzerland. Belgium, England, Scotland, the U.S.A, and Canada and people in all those countries had been extremely interested in youth and youth movements and the man in the street was always ready to do a kiridness.

Mentioning some interesting personalities he had met, Mr Marie said he first met Charlie Chaplin in 1915, when the world-famous comedian was working in a studio in California. At that time he made a picture with a party ol Australian boys of which Mr Marie was a member. When he met Charlie Chaplin again in 1928, the comedian remembered incidents connected with the previous meeting. What impressed Mr Marie most was that Chaplin was a spontaneous comedian. He would rehearse a scene and when the time came for acting it he would do everything quite differently. The impression that had gained ground that he was not able to speak grammatical English was not correct. Charlie Chaplin, said Mr Marie, spoke polished English. The reason why he had not figured in talkies was that the Chaplin’s type of comedy was more suited for silent films. A very interesting personality he had met. in New York was Mr Alfied Smith, whose name was a household word in the United States. Mr Smith said Mr Marie, rose from the Bowery to become Mayor of New York, a position he held for many years and latei became Governor of the State of New York. He was chairman of difectors of the enterprise controlling the Empire State building of 103 stories. Although he had risen to such high positions, he still retained touches of his association with the Bowery. He'wore buttons on his sleeves from the cuffs to the elbows, had silver lace, on his pockets and pearl buttons on his waistcoat. , Mr Charles M. Schwab, an industrial genius, wlio had presided at a luncheon of the New York Chamber of Commerce attended by Mr Marie, had made the statement that boys from New Zealand and Australia had the greatest opportunity of any youths in any part of the world, as these countries, he considered, were on the eve of great developments. Mr Schwab stated that if he were a young man looking for a place in which to carve out a career he would select Australia or New Zealand, as he believed that they offered the same opportunities as there were in the United States when he was a boy. This man, observed Mi Marie, rose from nothing. He used tc work in’ coal pits in Pennsylvania for 7s 6d a week and now his dividends from coal pits alone amounted to three million dollars. Mr Marie added' tha; he had met three American Presidents, Coolidge, Hoover and Roosevelt He was present at President Hoover’s inauguration ceremony. On the Continent, Mr Marie said, he met the late King of the Belgians who had an amazing knowledge of the whole world. He knew the names oi many towns in New Zealand and Australia which even ’ residents of the country itself could not name. He would know Masterton and what were the products or industries of the district.

Passing on to refer to the present tour, Mr Marie said they had had a wonderful time since they had arrived in New Zealand in February. They had been most hospitably entertained They had been right through the South. Island and every opportunity had been taken to visit scenic resorts, including the Eglington Valley, the Homer Tunnel and the Franz Josef Glacier. The large gold dredges on the West Coast were found of special interest and Mi Marie said he was intrigued with the tremendous amount of coal that could be seen projecting from the hillsides. Rotorua had been enjoyed immensely and some of the party had visited Waitomo Caves, though they all hoped to see the latter before they, left New Zealand.

Mr Marie stressed the great educational value of the tour as far as the boys were concerned. It had a broadening influence and gave them poise that boys who had not travelled die. not possess. They could keep up an intelligent conversation with anyone and their experience would be of grea. value to them in later years. Mr Mark said he had been very gratified at the response received in all parts of New Zealand.' The tour had been a most successful one and people in this country were obviously greatly interested in youth.