"AT HOME."

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20776, 9 February 1933, Page 2

"AT HOME."

Y.W.C.A. APPEAL. At the invitation oi the president and members of the Board ot Directors of the Young Women's Christian Association, representatives of nearly all the women's organisations in Christchurch attended a very pleasant "At Home,' 5 held last nigbt in the Association's club room, Madras street. Mrs William Machin, president, wolcomed the guests, amongst whom were representatives of Toe H League of Women Helpers, Hiome Service Association, Society for Protection of Women and Children, Women's Auxiliary of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, National Council of Women, West Christchurch District High School Old Girls' Association, Plunket Society, Avonside Girls' High School Old Girls' Association, liangi Ruru Old Girls' Association, Technical College Old Girls' Association, Prosbyte rial Association of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, Sunlight League, Women's branch of the Christchurch Citizens' Association. Home Economics Association, Federation of University Women, Canterbury branch of the Trained Nurses' Association, Canterbury Women Teachers' Association, and Mothers' Union. Helpful Co-operation. Mrs Machin said thut it was encouraging to have the co-operation ot the various women's organisations, which, like the Young Women's Christian Association, were working for the good of humanity. The present days of depression, siie thought, offered an opportunity to women to show their earnestness in overcoming obstacles and in helping others. At the Young Women's Christian Association all girls were welcome. Companionship and friendship were offered them, they were encouraged to become useful and independent, and their energies were directed into healthy channels. The Association's work did not usurp the province of Sunday SVhcols or Bible Classes. It aimed at cheering and befriending the srirls, at giving them high ideals, and helping to make them good citizens. Growth of the Association. Miss Ethel Batt, general secretary of the Association, briefly traced its growth since its foundation in England about 75 years ago. It owed its beginning to two small groups of women—one a prayer circle, the other a hodv anxious that girls should ho educated as wcl' as boys. The two groups joined, and formed a small association, which has grown and spread throughout the world until it now lias a membership «>f 1,000,000. Its headquarters were now at Geneva, where it was working r>r universal peace, Church unity, and the solution of universal problems. It was the only organisation at Geneva that included the word "Christian" in ita title. Miss Batt then detailed the steps being taken, first, to meet the pressing needs of the day, and, second, to prepare for tho needs of,the future.

It was possible that, in future, few girls would be employed in industrial work, and it mighl; be necessary to help in the consequent readjustment of their lives. Miss Batt described the work that was being done at the hostel for unemployed women and girls, and outlined future plans which have recently been published in "The Press." Street Collection. Mr Stanley Jameson, who is organising the street appeal to be held on March -10 in aid of the Association, asked for help in the collecting, especially emphasising the importance of eacii organisation manning a corner of the City for one day. He would require 300 collectors, and he hoped to enlist the services of many men. Miss Helen Ferguson spoke of th.i work of the hostel. At the invitatiou of Mrs Machin, Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson explained shortly tho part the Plunket Society and Sunlight League played in improving conditions for women and children. The Programme. A short concert programme, arranged by Mrs Hugh McLeod, was much enjoyed. Miss I. Bowden and Mrs J. Barrtett sang, aud Mrs McLood gave a recitation. Mrs F. Gresham and Miss E. Bowden played the accompaniments. After supper, the visitors were shown over the Association's building.