V.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 67, 19 March 1910, Page 8

V.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS.

Mr A. C. Caughey, in' the course of his remarks at the annual meeting of the V.M.C.A. last night, furnished some interesting statistics regarding the growth of the movement. He said that according" to the latest statistics (January 15, 1910) there were in the world 5052 associations, being an increase for the rear of 229; 850,340 enrolled members, an increase of 29,131; 3282 paid secretaries, an increase of 309; 1252 buildings, an increase of 8S; and property valued at over £12,000,000 sterling. In Australasia, ten years ago there were only three buildings owned by associations in Australia and New Zealand. At the ])resent time, there were fourteen associations which have had some new" structures, or the money in hand to erect J them. Ten years ago there was only one j general secretary in New Zealand; today there were fourteen employed officers, with a paid staff of thirty-three. !At that time there was one building j used by an association in the Domii nion, and that one in Auckland. Now I there were six associations which have I buildings, or the money available. Ten years ago the associations did not recognise the vital importance of touchI ing boy life; now they realised this to be a fundamental necessity, by the em-1 ployment of six men to devote their whole time to this direction. The same advance was to be shown in the development of the physical, educational and religious work. A development of the. year which attracted much attention, and was highly commended, has been the adaptation of the V.M.C.A. to meet the needs of the large groups of young men in the British army that meet in the recently-formed territorial encampments. In almost every encampment is to be found a V.M.C.A. marquee, well equipped with piano, writing materials, table games, etc. The tents are also used for reading, writing and recreation j by day, and for entertainments and meetings each evening, and services on Sunday. This new departure is the direct result of the remarkable work done by the V.M.C.A. agents during the Russian-Japanese war. In view of the passage through the New Zealand Parliament of a Defence Bill, which emoodies the principle of compulsory military training of the young manhood of our Dominion, he urged that a Board '■ of Directors to be elected to make inquiries as to the opportunities that will offer of helping these young : men on similar lines, as they will" meet periodically in their encampment. A striking feature of the work of the Association during the year, Mr. Caughey added, was the commencement of the i erection of a great building in Tottenham' Court-road, London, intended as a memorial of the late Sir Geo. Williams,! founder of the movement. This buildin" would run into an expenditure of £200,000. "The foundation stone was laid by Lord Kinnaird," added the speaker, "and, as showing the faith of I the hard-headed business men of London ' in the work of the Y.M.OA-, it is worthy of note that the ground rent alone will be £5000 a year." "Some of our friends are impatiently asking, "When do you propose to start on the new building??" continued Mr. Caughey.-- "Our reply is, Those who have practical experience of big 'building schemes know perfectly well that it is not desirable to rash such things if mistakes are to be avoided.' Site, plans, finance, and other preliminaries demand I mnch time and earnest thought, and 1 i can assure every one a great deal has been done. A site has been bought for £6000, and paid for. It is one of the ■most central and commanding in the city. The plans are now in such a forward state that the moment we realise on the existing building and other Association property, the new home can, and will, without delay ibe proceeded with. The property is now in the hands of leading agents, and the prospect of an early and satisfactory sale Is good." (Applause.) ..