In Revolt

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 3, 31 July 1931, Page 30

In Revolt

ELDOM have I felt more in’ sympathy with a movement than while Mr: Frank Milner, M.A., speaking from 3YA, was expounding the revolt of German youth against the circumscribed life of the 20th Ceritury.

These young people have fired a trail which will eventually circle the globe. All they did was to don comfortable clothes, carry a stout stick and a filled rucksack and sally forth on foot to see what they could see between Saturday midday and Monday morning. Simple, isn’t it? But the result of’ that simple initial step is reflected in the fact that the movement has gained official recognition and encouragement in Germany; so much so that in the schools one day’s hike a month is a compulsory part of the curriculum. Shelter huts and buildings by the thousand have appeared throughout — the length and breadth of the countryside; charges for accommodation are at a minimum and, in point of fact, Official Germany, with customary shrewdness, sees in the movement national health, vitality and productive powers. It is pleasing to note how popular the tramping movement is becoming in England, where Government, municipal, civic and public bodies are in various ways helping to foster the idea that the countryside possesses a wealth of beauty and health previously inconceived. The Carnegie Trust has devoted £10,000 towards the building of accommodation huts; the Scottish Forestry Commission has guaranteed sites in the territory under its control; in a-score of different ways there are plain indications that public opinion is with the movement. There are the usual band of faithful Jeremiahs' who see in the healthy companionship of both sexes the moral downfall of civilisation;. these are loud in their condemnation. Did they but realise how they advertise the possession

of nasty warped minds, which give a twist to the perspective of whateve? they regard, I am inclined to think that we should be less annoyed by the burden of their doleful dirge. This is Youth’s revolt against conventionalism; against Victorian frowsiness; against 20th Century mechanisation; it must win through! A convert to the natural joys of fresh air and sunshine never slips back-he or she goes on cotiverting! Good luck to them both.