MR W. HIND SMITH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 25 April 1891, Page 5

MR W. HIND SMITH.

ADDRESS AT THE V.M.C.A. TO-DAY.

An informal meeting was callod today at noon in the leetuic hull of the Young Mcn'H Christian Association to hear an address from Mr W. Hin'l-Smith, tho representative of the National Council of the V.M.C.A. in London. There was a small attendance, only 23 porsons being present, including three liuiiee. Mr J. L. Wilson presided, and in his opening remarks stated the few persona present was no doubt due to the awkward hour tho meeting was called for. Mr Smith, in his opening remarks, said the meeting was called to give the Association an opportunity of expressing satisfaction or dissatisfaction with tho work here, and further to hear his opinion of the work in the colonies. Ho (the speaker) said the National Council felb a great interest in the work of tho Young Men's Christian Associations in the colonies, and it was duo to thia he was cent on his mission to Australia and New Zealand. Mr Smith stated he had visited all parts of tho world, including Egypt, Jerusalem, India and Ceylon, and V.M.C.A. work was in a satisfactory and nourishing state everywhere excepting the colonies. In America, Mr Smith. said, there were at present 1,400 Y.M.C.A.'s, but Australia had not as many associations in their midst) to-day as ten years ago. in New South Wales there were only throe Associations, in Victoria two, and in South Australia two. This was a deplorable state of affairs. Mr Smith also referred to tho smallnumberofAssociationsinNewZealand, and urged their establishment at Wellington, Invercargill and other centres. The speaker thought tbat New Zealand was the best for enterprise and capital, and it was hard to account for the decline of the Association work. Mr Smith urged the federation of the Y.M.C.A.'s of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and thought is would lead to increased interest in the work. Hβ further referred to the bad effecb the turf had on the morals of. young men of the present day, and deplored the fact. MrSmith concluded by urging: the Auckland Association to take vigorous action in the matter, and do all in their power to prevent the evil. At the invitation of Mr Smith, several of those present made suggestions to increase interest in the work of the V.M.C.A. Mr Thoe. Buddie supported Mr Smith's idea of federation, and urged the appointment of a travelling secretary in connection with the V.M.C.A. The meeting concluded soon efter one o'clock and Mr Smith left for Sfyn Francisco by the Alameda thia afternoon.