Plans are being prepared by the London Youth Committee for a Central course for part-time Youth Leaders and helpers with some
experience in Youth Work. Attendance at the monthly Vauxhall course will, we understand, make Catholics particularly eligible for enrolment in the proposed course.
Mr. F. R. Morrish, F.C.I.S., Assistant Youth Organise' of the London Youth Committee, who addressed London Youth Leaders at Vauxhall on Sunday, thought the new scheme will give further encouragement to the Vauxhall venture which, it will be recalled, began in July this year as the result of action by the Priests' Study Group.
As a growing number of priests are now engaged in Youth Work, their title to receive fees from public funds has now been made clear, Priests entirely set aside for the work would be considered entitled to apply for fulltime salary, this ranging from £250 upwards per annum. Those engaged a few hours it week might he paid proportionately.
Mr. Morrish reminded his hearers that the Board of Education are prepared to consider applications for grants to units engaged in the service of youth in respect of (a) salaries for whole-time and part-time paid leaders and assistants; (b), equipment for canteens and physical training or recrea• tional activaies ; (c), maintenance, including rent, rates and cost of heating. lighting and general expenses.
"Applications will be considered," he said, " from units affiliated to any of the recognised national organisa• lions or independent clubs. In the case of an old-established unit it will be necessary to give the numbers of members (a), under 14; (b), 14 to 20; (c), over 20, with the average nightly attendance of the (h). 14-20 age group, and the amount of grant will be in proportion to the number of members of this particular age group."
There are no fixed standards at present and each application will be considered on ifs merits. but normally a club should be open at least on two or three evenings a week and should provide, in addition to recreational facilities, some kind of physical, mental and character training work, Mr. Morrish made other interesting points in answer to questions front the audience. He said that Club members' subscriptions are expected to be at least 3d. per week for those under 16, and ed. for those over. Also that on application the Food Office will issue permits to enable canteens to obtain refreshments.
On the vexed question of closed and open clubs, Mr. Morrish said: '' If you keep your Club private it does not necessarily mean that you get no grant." He quite understood the with of Catholics to run Clubs for their own children and favoured the idea of allowing a reasonable proportion of other boys and girls to apply for admission, a policy which many Catholic clubs follow with success.
" The Board of Education," he remarked, " have no hard and fast rules at the moment while the Movement is in its infancy. But they will have as time goes on."