Y.W.C.A. WORK.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14408, 16 July 1912, Page 3

Y.W.C.A. WORK.

ARRIVAL OF AN ORGANISER

(special to "the PRESS.") : IXVEUCAROILL. July IS. Following tho* steps of Mr. Alex. Jamison, National Secretary oif; tho Y.M.O.A.in. New Zealand, who arrived from Australia last week,'-.■"_*!_■»■■ Helen Barnes, who fs to '.supervise th 6 Young Women's Christian Association throughout the Dominion, arrived by the. Ulimaroa to-day. 7The. lady has.had a distinguished,.career- about which she spoke with diffidence when seen- by a She said' that, sho had entered upon the work in-the United States, where for the space of seven, years sho was the National Secretary of -that.branch of the organisation which deals;with factory .girls< She explained that the activities..of^-the.'Association, in the United States were subdivided, and ; feach department' had a national secretary". In the factory work she had been the pioneer, and unquestionably great good had accrued from the spread of the movement. "I will give you an example," said Miss Barnes. •'"Tit certain factories the employers made, the girls pay for the pins.and'tissue paper they wasted or lost, but since the coming of the Y.W.C.A. this condition has been removed, so greatly has the moral tone of tho girls improved." There were, she said, now about sixty secretaries engaged, in tho work, who were paid by the various factory-owners. Miss Barnes later became one of the prime movers in a campaign to bring the Association within reach of V the : country girls, "and followed''this movement for three years, -Five years ago. at a conference of delegates from all parts of the world; she was asked 'to take up a position in Australia, but felt compelled to decline the invitation as her work in the-United States was at a very-important stage in its development at that time. Finally sne came to Australia, leaving San Francisco oiv November, Bth last- In Sydney she participated in a building campaign a-rvd was also present at a conference of delegates from all the States. Ten such conferences were held in the United States last year, and of lato conferences had been held in China and Japan, where five had taken place last year. "It is time Australia, came into line," remarked Miss Barnes in conclusion. Miss Barnes leaves for the north by the second exprfess on Wednesday.