What Is YPC?

Towards the end of 1944 several independent youth clubs arose spontaneously in various centres—the Young People's Club in Auckland, the Building Trades' Apprentices Club in Wellington, and the Youth Front in Christchurch. Contact was soon established; all three clubs assumed the name "Young Peoples' Club" and efforts were made to establish a national organization, whose formation however, was delayed until April, 1944. due to the temporary collapse of the Wellinbton club, when its most active members were mobilized for military service.

Today the Federation of Young Peoples' Clubs comprises seven clubs and its objects are "to educate young people on the basis of common discussion; to initiate and support movements for legislative and other measures to improve their social and economic status; to work for the right for a free and higher education, and to develop cultural, social and recreational activities." Constitutionally, the Federation and its affiliated clubs (which are, in practice, autonomous) are nonparty political and nonsectarian religious.

In the past, major campaigns of the Federation have been participation in the Victory Loan Campaign, the preparation of reports and delivery of evidence before the Apprenticeship Commission and 1944 Education Conference and the 1947 Gaming Commission, the raising of textbooks for Polish students, and support for the rebuilding of Lidice. At present, the Federation is campaigning for medical supplies for the Venetian youth movement and will shortly petition Parliament for the extension of the franchise to the eighteen-year-olds. The more "bread and butter" activities of the local clubs Include debates, public speaking, social activities, sports, including inter-club fixtures, camping, and, on the educational side, addresses by prominent outside speakers.

The Federation is affiliated to the World Federation of Democratic Youth, and had two delegates to the recent World Youth Festival in Prague; also close contact is maintained with a similar body in Australia—the Eureka Youth League.

While "Salient" blushes to perpetrate a pun we ask you to search your souls and answer the question:

"What have you done for Victoria?"

• Do you belong to a Culture Club, to Summer and Winter Sports Clubs?
• Have you ever helped in the Caf? Been in Extrav? Helped with Capping Ball?
• Do you write for "Spike"? Attend General Meeting of the Association?
• Are you prepared to help with raising funds for the Building?

Most important of all—to us—do you contribute to "Salient?"

If you do not do any or a fair proportion of the above, then, please, first find if the fault is with you before criticising the efforts of the hard-working but all too small band of willing workers in this College.