Y.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 13411, 1 May 1909, Page 10

V.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

WORK IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

INTERVIEW WITH MR G. STENING.

Sir Geo. Stening, secretary to the Christchurch Young Slcn's Christian Asscciation, has just returned from an extended tour of England and America, where he has been studying the methods of the organisation. In an interview with a repivscnuitive or" -Tho Press-" last ever.ing, he gave some idea of the V.Si.C.A. work as carried on in those couutries. Sir Stoning said 1 that shortly after his arrival in England he attended tlie annual conference of V.SI.C.A. secretaries in Wales, which was held in the list week in June. Owing to the fact that- it was midsummer, lie was enabled to see much of the work of tho English associations. Two features that impressed him favourably were the volunteers and the seaside _ homes. The Territorials in each district had an annual encampment, which lasted a fortnight, and each association of that particular district provided a marquee as a social room, with {acuities for correspondence, etc. Light refreshments were also provided. The movement had the very hearty approval and practical support of the various military heads, including the Secretary for War. '•Proceeding to America," said Sir Stoning, IT I went direct to the an:"ial summer school held by eastern aeeociations at Silver Bay, "New York. This conference, which lasts a month, is a very good illustration of the progressive and up-to-date policy of the American aAi-cciutioT!is. Short term courses in the various principles of association work are hold evety month, followed by a series of examinations. The faculty comprises the very best men in the association world, and the, course proves* invaluable to those secretaries who have been unable to avail themselves ot either of the magnificent training schools at Chicago or .Springfield, Mass. This year 3SO secretaries were present at Silver Bay, and in audition to association men, the leaders of some of the social movements of the day gavo addresses/ After Teaving Silver Bay, Sir Stcning visited twenty-live American cities tor the purpose of studying their work and methods, and, in order to get a better insight into the practical application of the principles and ideas learnt by him at Silver Bay, lie took a temporary appointment- ou the staff at Troy, New York, and then at Holyoke, Slass. Subsequently he visited a number of the la:-..,.' cities in the East, as well as several in the Centre and far We6t. "The result of my study," (pursued Sir Stoning, ''would lead mo to believe that tho secret of the American success is tho very business-like methods adopted and the continuous amount of work put into the movement. The Americans are not content to let this or that happen; they strive to bring it to pass. Each association has a definite policy and aim in all that it undertakes, that policy sometimes covering a period ot from three to five years, and any success that may be attained becomes merely an incentive to still greater effort. Their success is made possible by the very liberal financial support accorded by business men of'the various communities. They recognise the' value of moral worth even in business and regard their contributions to an association that is developing character, not as charity, but as a business investment." Sir Stening said that ho visited so many associations that it was possible to specially mention only one or two. The Buffalo Association was noticeable for its all-ronnd excellence in regard to boys' work, and in this respect was the finest in the States. Over 700 boys (including 200 from the High School) attended. They developed the spirit of service in the elder boys, and much of the work in and beyond the building was at present being conducted by theso elder boys. Buffalo was equally conspicuous for its religious work, over one thousand men and ooys being enrolled for Bible study. Portland, Oregon, was doing remarkable educational work having some 700 students enrolled in classes for commercial and industrial subject?. All the modern places were equipped' with dormitories, each association having 200. Although tho charges were somewhat high, almost without exception there was a considerable waiting list. He was sure Christchurch would havo a like history in this department. In conclusion Sir Stening stated that tho Americans sought to discover the needs of their young men along educational lines, and then instal those classes best calculated to supply those need 3 without in anj- sense competing with existing institutions. The modern gymnasium provided at tile American institutions supplied such, an admixture of exercises, recreation and relaxation, that its frequenters were no longer young men, but business men, who found that it was much cheaper than medicine- and much more pleasant.