Youth Hostel Movement

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7282, 9 October 1933, Page 9

Youth Hostel Movement

CANTERBURY ENTHUSIASTS SEEK NATIONAL SCOPE

How tho youth hostel movement which began in Germany many years ago, and found supporters in a number of other countries, has extended to New Zoaland, is described in a communication received from the Sunlight League of New Zealand.

Youth hostels in the Dominion were advocated by the league more than three years ago, and accomodation for trampers was arranged at 10 of the bays on Banks Peninsular. A meeting was then called of representatives of all the tramping clubs in Christchurch, and the Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand was formed. Four months ago further accommodation was arranged on the West Coast of the South Island, and there are now 10 hostels in that area. So far they have not boon used a great deal, partly because of tho expense of travel to Cass or Arthur Pass, but those on Banks Pcninsual hnvo been used extensively. Those who aro concerned with tho movement in Christchurch aro eager for tho co-opora-tion of organisations in other regions, and hope that tho movemont will extend beyond Canterbury to Auckland and other provinces. One useful branch of the work which could well be commenced in the North is shown by tho Youth Hostel Association’s handbook of Westland and Banks Peninsula, for tho use of trampers. There are excellent maps of the areas, showing hostels and routes, which aro of great advantage to trampers.

T.hc handbook goes further in that it contains many interesting chapters, contributed by well-known persons, including Profesor J. Hight, Professor Arnold Wall and Air Johannes C. Andersen, on subjects of instruction and importance to New Zealanders who care for the open road and the innumerable subjects of interest to be found in nature. Native plants, birds, geology, old Maori tracks end history, early events on the West Coast and even the whaling centres of 'tho south-west are dealt with in an informative manner. Such topics are in keeping with one important object of tho association —to help all, especially younger people, to a greater knowledge, care and love of tho Dominion. The objoct of promoting good fellowship among trampers is also kept clearly in view, and there is a wealth of usefud advice for trampers.