Y.M.C.A. AND MAORIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 254, 20 July 1908, Page 8

Y.M.C.A. AND MAORIS.

•AN INTERESTING CONFERENCE.. , Some months ago a. scheme was outlined in The Dominion which was then filling, the minds of Mr. ,H. N; Holmes, Wellington, secretary, !jnd Jlr. W. Gillanders", Australasian secretary, of'the Y.M.CIA., for the Extension of the Association's work among, the Maori people. As the; result of a conference'held last evoriing between tho leaders- of the Wei--lingtdn Y.M.C.A. and leaders of the Young Maori'party, the sfcheme-has, it is'hoped, been brought . within the .sphere of early action. ' '.. ; : JMr. H. N. Holmes presided at the, Conference, which was held in .the ;Y.M.C.A. Hall, and largely attended by members .of the Association and of the Maori Congress. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken,/M.P.j President;of the Board of Directors, of-the Y.M.C.A., gave a hearty welcome to the Maoris. Mn A. T. Ngata,jM.P., outlined the aims of the Young Maori''.party' • ■: , ' : - Mr. H. S- Hart, speaking in . reference to the adaptability of; the Y.M.O.A. to •• work' ;among Native .races;"instanced the successful efforts of'the North American Associations amongst the Red Indians. . He suggested that classes might be started for the study of tho Maori language, history, and" antiquities. ■ • Mr. Holmes-thought'that a course of lectures might' be - given' by leading Maoris to educato'the public-in tho matterj and that the-Association might train a bright young Maori in its work who, after a tour .of inspection of the Y.M.C.A.'s in various countries,! would be ablo to form branches among his own people. •Tho Rev. H. A. Hawkins (Auckland) suggested that a delegato of the Association should first of all visit the chief Maori settlements to examine tho field. • The Rov. F. TV. Chatterton (Gisbome) pointed out that a great many young Maoris visited "Wellington during the Parliamentary session. The Association might reach out an open hand to these. . After further discussion it was decided to recommcnd the Board of Directors that they should tako into consideration tho adoption of a policy of Maori work for tho Wellington Association, n.nd recommend a similar departure to the other' Associations.

, The London child has six times moro space of free garden at his disposal than the Parisian child. Hygiene is more-important to the race than beautyso it may be said that London is superior to Paris, ill spite of tho beautiful sites and monuments of the French .della -Sera, l! - iMilan,.