THE "Y" CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 93, 19 April 1923, Page 8

THE "Y" CLUB

FIRST LUNCHEON HELD

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS,

The first luncheon of the newly-formed "Y." Luncheon Club was held to-day, when ai very'interesting address on, matters in connection with immigration was given by Mr. Cyril Bavin, General Secretary of the V.M.C.A. Migration Department in London. Mr. A. P. Smith was in the chair, and among the numerous guests was the Mayor,' Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P. .

The aims and objects of the club'were outlined by Mr. R. S. Maunder, who said that a luncheon would be held every Thursday, when matters both of general and particular interest would be discussed.

Introduced by the chairman, Mr. ! Bavin said'he felt privileged to'be the.' first speaker at the club, and he was ' sure his pleasure would be shared by the body in the Old Country, which he rep- I resented. The department had no interest whatever in the commercial side of immigration, but what it was concerned with was the giving of sound advice. The secretary's hand-book concerning prospects, etc., was the most up to date of its kind in England, and reliable information could therefore be given. The great object of the department was not to encourage immigration, but to be of assistance to immigrants. Introductions were given the young people to persons in other countries, but, unfortunately, not many of them were made use of.' The department was acting, in very close co-operation with the Dominion and Imperial authorities, which had a greatdeal of confidence in the V.M.C.A. This was shown by the faci that the speaker, had been sent by the Home Government on missions in foreign , countries. The' Australian Government made a boast, that no one ever immigrated into the' j Commonwealth without being "inter- j viewed," but this work could not be thoroughly carried out by the State authorities alone, and the V.M.C.A. helped them to such an extent that they were now interviewing about one hundred prospective immigrants per day.. The young immigrant finds on board; the vessel on which he is travelling a V.M.C.A. secretary, and when he reaches. his destination a V.M.C.A. man is wait- I ing for him, in the case of Wellington, ■. Mr. Silver. The speaker concluded by j congratulating the New Zealand;: V.M.C.A. on the good work done by its . secretaries overseas during the war.. The.;' work of the V.M.C.A. was strengthen-, i ing both the civic and the religious life S of the country. ; i On behalf of the club, the chairman ', thanked Mr. Bavin for his address, and ; the. proceedings closed with thei singing, ■ of the National Anthem. At next week's, luncheon Mr. Julien Grande will'be the: speaker.