Points The Way

[?]ere Do We Go From Here?

Fiji Youth Club Points The Way

From J. P. Shortall, in Suva An address of more than

ssing interest was made by

leading Fijian, Ralu K. K.

Mara, at the inauguration

the new multi-racial Fiji

)uth Club in Suva in August.

far the club has no home of its own, and the function, presided over by Mr. K. D. sin, Commissioner for India in was held at the Grand Pacific ;1. itu Mara displayed a refresh er Christian and realistic roach to the Colony’s racial ition in his inaugural address, ilthough the constitution of this lists quite a number of aims objects, one can summarise the le aim and object by saying that main purpose is the promotion promulgation of all that will titain and improve racial nony in this Colony.” said Ratu a. [is Excellency, in the last slative Council, rightly ad ished us not to be complacent it our racial relations in this my,” Ratu Mara said, and he inued.

"Racial Harmony"

’he youth of this Colony owe ) their elders to maintain and possible improve the racial nony which has been an out

standing characteristic of this Colony.

“His Excellency advised multi racial schools, and there were voices raised against that means of pro ducing racial harmony. But His Excellency simply mentioned only one of the ways of educating people. The education of a person is not restricted to school rooms alone. . . . People are led to a better life not only in the school rooms but in the Press, by the radio, on the playing field, and in clubs such as this one.”

Ratu Mara continued: “What is there to be gained by any section if all our education and development leads to inter sectional strife and bloodshed?”

“Those responsible for the creation of this club are doing excellent service to the Colony. I am not surprised to see Mr.

Bahsin’s name associated with this development. His own radiant and captivating personality has won him numerous friends of all races in the very short time he has spent in this Colony.

“He is of course fortunate to have as his wife a charming and a superb hostess in Mrs. Bahsin. If each member can do as well as either Mr. or Mrs. Bahsin in future, we will in this ceremony launch a youth club which will have every prospect of success.”

All Races

The club caters for boys and girls aged 15 and over. To date it has concentrated on sport and on social work for the sick and destitute.

It hopes to organise educational classes for young members who, for financial reasons, cannot continue their schooling.

Formed in March, it now has a membership of about 110 of all races, about 20 per cent, of the membership being Fijian.

Mr. Bahsin is patron, and Mr.

B. J. Rattan is president.

Some of the members of the new multi-racial Fiji Youth Club.