Y.M.C.A. WORK

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 124, 29 May 1922, Page 3

Y.M.C.A. WORK

.■-:.-. i- ; m ...-■■• ■:-:■ NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETS

'A meeting of' the National Ex«entirv« of the : ,Y.M.C.A.; was h«ld, at National/ Headquarters i during > the <■ -past week. There were present Messrs. H. W. Kersky (chairman), C. M Luke, J.C Port, W. C. Hemery, W. H. Denton, General Richiardsoii, C. R. Edmond, G. W. W. B. Hughes, and A. Yarney. „..':'.', • Correspondence was dealt with, front the World's Committee, XJenevaj" regarding- the Boys', .Work Conference in Czecho-Slovakia'in June, 1923. New Zealand was. urged to ■send "a. strong delegation. The ■ convention ■is to deal with "The Place of Boyhood in, the Nations of the>World:" ■; ft 'ivas "reported that commissions were at work collating in'foTmation ",on' "the " physical, Jega.l,« religious; vocational, .domestic, civic, "and national aspectsNof boy life in, New Zealand. Similar commissions are meeting in all countries. , ... _ .:. ...-.-■■

It' was reported that the' metropolitan associations were conducting training classes for their employed staffs, each group being affiliated to the federation of local. Y.MjC.-A. training centres. The National Executive had been requested to find suitable employed officers far various positions in association centres. .Tho national ' general ."secretary .'stressed ' the fact that a course of training for employed officers was absolutely essential. The New Zealand movement needed mei» qualified both as general secretaries and physical directors.

The] following "staff/committee was appointed : Messrs.'HrW.-KersleyjC. M. Luke, and .W!"C! Heinery. ,„_- A progress report on the affiliation of the New Zealand (movement with the united Y.M.C.A schools was presented, . and emphasised the need for a vigorous educational policy. ■ " " A progress report on the.recent membership effort was received,' showing thab the largest numerical increase (303) had been registered in Christchiirch, and the largest percentage increase (136 pec-gent.) in Timaru. " A number of theaßSOciaions had not yet completed their effort. It was resolved to send a"letter of congratulation to all associations reporting • an inarease of over 25 per cent'. It was resolved .to,urge all; associations to meet their obligations to-the New Zealand r work ,at Hyderabad,, India^ at an early date. Enponragrng report« were coming to hand from the three Australasiansecretariesf.'fcft' the' field." •"" Regarding- the' continuation of services to returned-soldiers'in;-hospitals, it was reported:.that negotiations?are still proceeding between tile RtxTCross Societv, ' the Salvation Army, and the Y.M.C.A , in conjunction" with'tth'e rPublic r'HValth Department, and theWar 1 Funds Council, and it was expected that some definite announcement..wouldbe made in the near future as to the policy which is to govern the future activities'among the returned disabled men.:.ln themeahtime, the policy was to reduce expenditure in ratio to the number of patients. In accordance with this policy, the Y.M.C.A. Hospital Hufc in Trentham Camp had been closed down, but the Soldiers' Club was being kept going in the meantime. — The general secretary of the N.Z<-. R.S.A., in: acknowledging "a report ofthe work done by the^Y.Jtf.C.A^.amongreturned disabled soldiers, wrote stating": "It is most gratifying to know. that the magnificent 'work performed by the YvM.C.A; among-the soldiers'in -Fiance ,"is,7.being,.,continued -among .our*>unfor--1 tonate,;,<;oinaf!id.O3\ in, :jt&o^various hospitals.-'; ■■/.?.&--l_\"1 JlAc.'lC'? A letter of appreciation and a framed photograph,.of .the ship,. to,.be.-lmng inthe Soldiers' Club, Trenthamj. jras received/from, !ihe".' commander of the H.M.S. phatbam,,,for. services 'rendered to their! snip's; company.- . during tho period of. their training 'in Trentbkm Camp. ""~."

A general report was submitted by the Military' Secretary, ' giving information that the service at the larger hospitals dealing with- disabled-'-soldieffg was being1 carried.on.efficiently.- ...... _'. A general iepart 'was rsnbmitted, dealing with industrial work carried on by the committees! at different centres thronghout.'the Bominion. The Y.M.C.A., is now operating' at five construction' works under the direction of the Public W,orks Department, in addition' to three private company plants. The work, it was'reported, is now passing beyond the experimental stage,-' ahd is proving- a very vital part of the soda! life'in'1 the different centres where recreation liuts have been-;ereated and "equipped. -, .:;■::■ ■,-.',".. >. .?.. .- . A request was received, from rth« workers at Omana Tunnel on the North Auckland' Main!'.'Trunk, and it -was decided to help this body of workmen by providing-'■ a' -library rand;'recreational equipment ;until ( such, time as it is possible to install a"secretary.',':.■ '■■ A letter <was also 'received front Mataniata in reference to ..the A-epuni Electric Power Works, and it was decided to request the committee to keep;l this centre in "mind, as it is anticipated that - there, •will be a large number of men' employed there at no distant date. '■ -.-'■•'■'•