THE Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13563, 26 October 1909, Page 8

THE V.M.C.A.

TO THE EDITOR OJ "THB PREBB."

Sir,—Once more the Y.M.C'.A. raises its voice, and demands from the public the sum of money necessary to furnish its palatial building. The Board tells Uβ that it could not reduce the amount, viz., £15,000 for buikling and £4000 for furnishing, without crippling the work intended to be done. Now would it not be better if the Board would'tell us in specific terms just what this work is? Of course, generally speaking, we all agree that it is a good thing that young men should be provided with wholesome amusements and occupations during their hours of liberty. I say we all agree to this, and most of us do our share in this respect without clamouring for thousands of pounds to help us in the doing. Now what else is the Association doing to require such luxurious* headquarters? It has been compared to a Sanatorium for Consumptives. I might point out that the latter is a refuge for the eick —whore they are received, cured if possible, and in any case isolated, and the public thus protected. Where is tjhe parallel between these two? Will the beauti-fully-furnished bedrooms of tho V.M.C.A. buildings be used for the reception, treatment, and isolation of drunkards, prostitutes, and thieves, and others whose moral condition requires treatment? The appeal is then made on behalf of the Gordon Boys' Home. The V.M.C.A. hayina obtained control of the former's hinds, is now unable to carry out its agreement! I for one always thought, and still think, that the amalgamation of these two funds was a great mistake. This appears to be the truth. The fact that many successful business men believe that it is necessary for the V.M.C.A. to build a £19,000 residential club to inculcate Christian doctrines is interesting, but not wholly unexpected in this age of advertisement. Business men are, however, by no meanH infallible, and it is still open for discuMnon whether true Christianity requires such luxuriant and arrogant accessories to its work. Finally, I mieht beg tho V.M.C.A. not to get their subscribers, to sign forms binding them to pay so much a year, lest some unfortunate widow might have to pay out of a email income the sum that to her husband, when alive and prosperous, seemed a generous contribution. This is not entirely imaginary, and might be kept in mind by enercetio canvassers. —Yours, etc., 7 DISSENTIENT.

TO THB EDITOB O» "THE PHESS."

Sir,—l have road with, some interest the criticisms of some of your coiTeepondents regarding the effortnow being made to complete the X.M.C.A.. building 'and furnishing scheme, but would not have troubled io take up the matter had not circumstances enabled mc to obtain some idea of the inner working of the modern V.M.C.A. While on a recent viai't to Wellington a friend mentioned on the steamer that the V.M.C.A. in Wellington received casual boardere if any rooms were vacant. I then decided to visit th*» institution. My visit was short, but I saw enough to convince mc of the splendid work which is being done. I was careful not to show any .particular interest in the work, thinking "thereby to obtain a more correct impression than if the Officers knew that I was taking notes. Something has been said in your columns, of "sumptuous furnishings, ,, "A young men's private club," etc. Let mc *ay that if the .Wellington institution is. a fair sample, then such criticisms -and rinnuendoe are entirely us justifiable. The building is well planned 1 . The entrance hall is spacious. It is fairly comfortably furnished, but i fcb/3 terms "luxuriant" or "sumptuous" ! cannot be applied. On the other hand the furnishing of the bedrooms is ; meagre in- the extreme—« small iron ' bedstead, a strip of floor covering, a ; tiny dresser, with a small piece of mirror glass (unfrarned)? No wardrobe, no wasnitand. The lodgers use a common bathroom, and I understand some of them supply a few extra furnishings at their own expense. [ ■ ■ The meals Were plain but ~ nicely served. The young fellows about did not appear to be of the "namby pamfl ri< "ii.J* yfcy > y ni imt ih& normal, healthy, clean-living, sort of fellow we all are accustomed' to see in our, ; towna. On one of the- evenings'a :sale of ■work, etc., was in progress, the" poster announcements intimating that it was in aid of the boys' department. A number of the lads were- going atid coming, and I could not. help feeling thankful, as I noticed them, that they were being surrounded by such healthy influences. ■ The movement is one which, to my mine, ought specially to appeal to men interested m the country boys I venture to cay that many a countrymans unavoidable anxiety for the wellbeing of his boy just commencing a business career iit town would be considerably lessened if he could place him in the undenominational Y.M.CA Your criticising correspondents I alwuto imagine, belong to the class Who urge fhat temperance" can best Ibe promoted by Church people providlif "counter r e ttrfctione*t3 the publiohouse, : yet when this i» being attempted, and successfully, they still criticise.--Ttoureyetc., ; J NOT A MEMBER.