WORK OF Y.W.C.A.

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 2

WORK OF Y.W.C.A.

APPEAL FOR £20,000 LAUNCHED

The work and growth of the Young Women’s Christian Association since its inception during the Crimean War ! were outlined last evening by Miss C. Ashton, the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Young Women’s Christian Association. Miss Ashton, who has been engaged for many years in Young Women’s Christian Association work both in New Zealand and in Australia, recently returned to the Dominion from Melbourne, and is now employed in educational work for the Young Women’s Christian Association of New Zealand. Miss Ashton appealed to the older members of the community to assist the younger members to grow into good and useful citizens. “The Y.W.C.A. must build for youth the facilities it needs, so that it may grow into the kind of citizen that this city needs.” she said. - “The 40-hour week means that youth has much more leisure time. The Y.W.C.A. must see that youth has the opportunity for using that leisure time creatively and well,” continued Miss Ashton. “The increase in industry means that, more young people are coming to our cities to work. They need good housing. We must provide for them that good home life which will help them to become good citzens.” A brief statement on the aims of the appeal which was officially launched yesterday by the Young Women’s Christian Association to raise the sum of £20,000 was made by Mr C. H. Burson, the organiser for the appeal. The money will be used for the purchase, extension and renovation of the “Riverlaw” hostel, and for extensions and equipment; at the Latimer hostel. It will also be devoted to the maintenance and development of youth work. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H- Andrews), commended the objects of the appeal. The young people who were coming into industry in the city needed to be housed, and he knew of no better way of housing them than under the care of the Young Women’s Christian Association, Mr Andrews said. Messages of good wishes for the success of the campaign were received from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) and from the Mayoress (Mrs F. Hardy Cookson). An amusing parody of excerpts from a number of Shakespeare’s plays, which were incorporated into a short sketch entitled “Much Ado About Ducats,” was presented by members of the drama group. It suggested a number of unconventional ways of raising the necessary £20,000. Mr E. Hitchcock, a member of the men’s advisory board, presided. •