THE Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20543, 11 May 1932, Page 8

THE Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED. SER'xCE TO COMMUNITY IN DIFFICULT TIMES. The work done for its members and for the community as a whole was reviewed at the annual meeting, held last evening, of the Young Men's Christian Association of Christchurch. Mr D. E. Parton presided over a fair attendance. The meeting began with a hymn and prayer. Chairman's Address. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said that in view of the Association's being before the public with its finance campaign, ho wished to refer to the particular aims and objects of the Association rather than to the routine work throughout the year. "Although we do not hear the objection so frequently nowadays, there are still a number of well-meaning people who cannot understand our keeping the word 'Christian' in our name," said Mr Parton. "We have been told that we would get more general support if we used the term 'Young Men's Association.' Some of you may even hear this during your hunt for funds at the present time, and I suggest that you make it plain that we retain the word because it is Christian character and Christian principles that are keepin£tho Association alive and making itJsuch a force in the community. f"But J mention this for the much wider reason of emphasising the work of the Association rather than its name. The Y.M.C.A., in this city at least (through the agency of its general secretary and his co-workers), functions as a spiritual movement, and being effective in religious work, recruits scores of boys and youths for all the churciies because of its wide contacts. It trains many more for service, because of its extensive programme. If this were not true there would be i< much greater loss to the church than is experienced under existing conditions. My next point has more of a social bearing but is still Christian in principle. I was only told yesterday (by such a humble citizen that if I could only give you his name it would surprise, you)* that the trouble we are lamenting in the City to-day only lacks ■ one thing—and that is Christianity. j'We want you to tell the people this [ as you go amongst them." Discussing finance, Mr Parton said the Association's creditors were longsuffering people and very sympathetic. An unlimited supply of money was really not the secret of success, and it might interest and surprise those present to bear that it was well recognised in the scientific woffd that scarcely one famous investigator could bo found whose success could be attributed to the availability of ample means. The independent moneyed scientists lacked the icentive to fight against adversity, or paid others to do his work for him. The Association was in a parallel position as regards finance, and was happy in its association with those who succeeded only after strenuous and long-sustained efforts. To this end, he wanted to remind his hearers of two characteristics which were necessary in the work, and which formed the objective in keeping the Association alive for the benefit of coming citizens. "The first," continued Mr Parton "is that simple word 'usefulness.' The ultimate and just measure of the Association's value lies in the benefits which its members bring to the community and also to themselves. Great movements have been born and died, chiefly because the usefulness of their activities did not justify their existence. Only that work which is founded on the ideal of the betterment of man and the improvement of his daily life will live becauso of its own usefulness. The Y.M.C.A. has continued to grow in the good will of the community, and will continue to grow, as an essential oart of city life, because it adds so greatly to the spiritual, physical, mental, and social needs of the whole Dominion. It is so useful that it must continue to become more widely used. Building of Personality. "My next and final observation is concerned with the building of personality. ,1 can only touch on fundamentals, and, as the Americans say, 'hit a few of the highest points.' Ido not give personality the meaning of physical appearance for which the chairman of our Physical Department and the Director will naturally take credit. When some men have accepted this as the final meaning of' the term they have overlooked the inner personality of a man and, in a disappointed way, discarded it altogether. All business men understand full well the power of personality, and this is what our Association is trying to build up for their sakes. We want to supply the community with growing men, who immediately impress their personality upon all they come in contact with, and leave an indelible feeling of confidence and purpose, so that it can be said, 'here is a man I shall never forget.' "Personality has*a broad significance and as briefly as possible I want to divide it. into three segments—in accordance with Y.M.C.A. ideals, physical, mental, and spiritual. By physical we mean summing up a man as to age, height, weight, health, muscular tone, and posture. By mental personality we mean those qualities we call training, education, sense of humour, force of character, and capacity to work. By spiritual personality we mean affection, sympathyj understanding of others, enthusiasm for good and right, capacity for carrying out moral responsibility toward God and man. All these go to make up the whole of the resources man has to draw oh, and the aim of this institution is to assist him, in his early years, to appreciate them and keep them up to concert pitch. The power

of recovery after an inevitable setback is largely within himself, but youth docs not readily recognise this, and it becomes the Association's pleasure and duty to teach him. Whether ho will return to normal depends on the way ho is taught to make the best use of his physical, mental, and spiritual resources how much affection he extends to those around him—how much moral responsibility he feels in the conduct of his affairs, and how much he desires to carry out any task entrusted to him. "To those in our care we wish to say that life has its shadow as well as its sunshine. It has its dark and welllighted tunnels, and, when in the darkened tunnel, we are put to the crucial test, when strength of courage counts. Those who are discouraged through unemployment may feel they are in this tunnel now. Bemember what has been done once can bo done again. The sun shines on the other side at the moment but its absence in our little world is only temporary, and may be due to our own defects. If wo fail, the cause is primarily to be found in ourselves —either individually or collectively, and until we realise all our responsibilities we cannot expect to make the progress we should. What we want to emphasise is this —when in the tunnel remember that although the sun is temporarily obscured, you must keep it shining in your heart." Physical Department's Work. Mr H. W. Heslop seconded the m*tion for the adoption of the report. He referred to the success of the Physical Department's work. Ho was pleased to say that M*r A. T. Donnelly, who had been chosen as chairman of Tbe tribunal which had been chosen to settle the tramway dispute, was a very keen mom- , ber of the physical department. Tho Christchurch Y.M.C.A. had the largest number of gymnasium members in New Zealand. The large number of young lads taking part was a most encouraging feature of the work. There were no fewer than 23,606 attendances in the gymnasium last year. The Association was carrying on work not only for the Y.M.C.A., but also throughout the community. Mr Heslop paid a special tribute to the Work of Mr C. G. Pcgg, the physical director, whose influence did not by any raWns end on "the physical side. The annual tramping expedition, which he managed and carried through, was becoming, year by year, more popular. Altogether, the Y.M.C.A. was making a very valuable contribution to the welfare of the community in the present hard times. Mr George Graham also spoko, making particular mention of the work of the Physical Department. Mr L. Gordon reported on the educational classes. He said there was a weekly debating class, which was keen, and on a fine financial footing. Mr'J. L. Hay's business training class was also flourishing, and under his tutor-, ship the young riien were learning much of that - side of life. Community Service. Speaking of community work, Mr J. W. Hillary said they nad the goodwill of all tho citizens of Christchurch in recognition of the good work that was being done. He paid tribute to the efforts of the general secretary, Mr A. J. McEldowney. Then there was the work of vocational guidance,,which had grown to be a very big effort. Every endeavour had been made to find work for boys. Up to March 31st 145 boys had been placed in employment. The work was carried on under the leadership of Mr G. M. Keys, and with the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce. The speaker also referred to the efforts of the Optimists' Club, both within the Association and beyond it.

Tli© Religious Side. The general secretary reviewed the religious work of the Association. The fact that the Y.M.C.A. at the end of 88 years' work was stronger than ever was because it had stuck to its original purpose of uniting the young men in the extension of the Kingdom of God. In New Zealand they had reached a stage where thousands of boys and young men had realised that material things did not represent the real basis of life, and that their ideals must be based on spiritual things. Bible study had increased in the Association 100 per cent, in the last five years. The boys had their adult leaders, who held the confidence of the lads. In the senior groups it was being made clear that Christian principles could be applied to the difficult questions of international relations and international conflicts. Youth and Unemployment. Regarding unemployment, Mr McEldowney said those who were in touch with unemployed boys realised very clearly the dangers of the situation—the fact that if those boys were not found something, to do they might drift, and drift very seriously. The boys were appreciating what was done for them, and had expressed eagerness to help in the work of the Association, quite apart from their own group. The speaker expressed appreciation of the co-opera-tion of the Technical College in the work of fitting boys for employment and in educational work. Boys' Department. Mr F. H. Sandall called attention to the value of the work of the Boys' Department. He gratefully acknowledged the help of the Rotary Club, which every year sent 30 boys into camp, giving them an experience which they would not otherwise have the - chance to enjoy. He also acknowledged the work of the Boys' Gordon Hall. Every penny of deficit caused by the work in the Boys' Department returned threepence in" value. The annual report was adopted. The Balance-Sheet. ■ Presenting the balance-sheet, Mr K. G. Archer said there was a deficit on the year's working of £398.* Apart from that, the position was satisfactory, for, compared with last year, there was a drop of only £9O in ordinary revenue. There was a drop for the year of £SOB in tho dining-room and bedroom account, bo that the other sources of income must have increased. It was a matter of congratulation that

in this way they had not only held their own, but had actually shown an increase. With regard to the balancesheet, the assets still substantially exceeded the liabilities. The bank overdraft had increased from £2097 to £2310, which was the maximum that be obtained under the present arrangement. While the balance-sheet Tevealed no cause for fear, it revealed a need for immediate action in the form of a campaign to raise finance to reduce the overdraft and for other purposes. Mr A. A. Bruce seconded the motion. He said that even if they-hod come to the year with a deficit such as was revealed by the figures, it was still a matter of encouragement that they had come through as well as they had done. Tho balance-sheet was adopted. Election of Officers. Messrs K. G. Archer, J. \V. Hillary, and A. M. West retired from the Board of Directors, but being eligible for re-election were duly nominated, and elected. Mr Thos. Evans was elected a new member qf the Board. The Board of Directors is now composed of Messrs K. G. Archer, A. Borrows, A. W. Beaven, A. A. Bruce, A. F. Carey, T. Evans, J. D. Hall, J. W. Hillary, H. W. Heslop, W. C. Mackay. D. E. Parton. S. L. Partridge, J. I. Royds, F. H. Sandall, Irving Sladen, and A. M. West. Messrs Stewart, Beckett and _ Co. were reappointed honorary auditors, and Mr G. & Salter honorary solicitor. Votes of Thanks. Mr George Graham moved a vote of thanks on behalf of the Association's membership to the directors, for their able administration during a difficult year. Hi 3 remarks were supported by Mr A. J. McEldowney, the general secretary. He said he had found it a joy to work with the directors, whose work together was a model of Christian co-operation. Mr Parton briefly replied. Mr J. I. Royds moved a vote or thanks to the staff, and this was seconded by Mr Sandall and warmly approved. A vote of thanks to the Press was moved by Mr Sandall, who said the Association realised what it owed to the newspapers of Christchurch. The "chairman added :a tribute tjfe service which the newspapers gave to the Association and to the public. Tributes were also paid to the fine work of the Ladies' Auxiliary. The secretary mentioned that one new activity' which had only that afternoon been decided upon was to hold from May 29th a home hour on Sunday evenings for homeless young men. The vote of thanks was carried with warm acclamation. Other votes of thanks were carried to the voluntary workers, the honorary auditors, and the honorary solicitor. The serious financial position of the . Auckland 'Y.M.C.A., owing to the effects of the depression, was considered at the monthly meeting of the directors on Monday evening, when it was decided to appeal to friends in a 30,000-shilling effort at the end of