Y.W.C.A. RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 7

Y.W.C.A. RECEPTION

OUTLINE OF SERVICE

»"NOT ONLY WELFARE"

Eepresentatives of twenty-four women's societies attended a receptiou given by tho Y.W.C.A. in the Bluo Triangle Hall yesterday afternoon. Miss Jean Stevenson, national general secietaiy for the Y.W.C.A. of New Zealand, spoke of tho inspiration of meeting s>o many people, all of whom woro concerned in some phase of personal or community betterment. They wore a fellowship of service and in her experience there was always .Teady understanding and co-operation between those groups which had the welfare of the community at heart. "As the oldest of women's movements it is fitting that tho Y.W.C.A. should act as hostess," &aid Miss Stevenson: Speaking of tho Y.W.C.A. and its world-wide work, Miss Stevenson said that most people thought of it as x a girls' welfare movement, and such services as hostels, migration service, the use of the buildings by all girls in- tho city, and by many without their own home certainly came under the heading. of •' welfare.'' She considered, however, that even more important than its welfare activities' was the work of tho Y.W.C.A: in training young woinen to bo Christian world^citiiiens; Many great movements in the world today fell short of their possibilities because not enoughpeople shaved their ideals. For-; .intanco a League of Nations based" on" harmony and co-operation could not'bc administered if people were- predominantly controlled1 by national fearsSiid national selfishness. She believed' that to get a true spirit of citizenship.one must got into contact with all sorts .of people. The fact that the Y.W.C.A. was a fellowship of women of all ages, creeds, and social groups in all .countries of the world meant that itlcpiild have a great feature in training young people in the spirit of international citizenship. ■j f "":': Speaking of the crisis .of today, Jfiss Stevenson pointed out that the /whole question of. the girl and her employment was undergoing a great change. It was not a question of money rolief —that .was being well cared for^rbut it was only a small part of the problem. The questions of interests, companionship, group activities, discipline, and the things that gave a lift to the spirit ver ercally. important, and in these she believed that tho Y.W.C.A. had a great part to playv Whatever tho special interest of those present they showed by' their presenc'o that they were interested in youth. Miss Bridgman (general secretary) explained tho appeal for the "Girls' Week," which-was. being made for the association on May 24-31..-' She instanced tho following ways in which those who desired might help the movement: —(1} By being a collector on "Street Day" (May 31); (2) by organising.a shop or stall; (3) by giving a contribution in money or goods; (4) by giving an "at home" to interest others; (5) by,giving a money-raising effort in their : own homes or among their own friends.

: Many of those presont expressed their willingness to help. ■' t ■ Considerable amusement was created by a competition in guessing various organisations by their initial letters, and there was an atmosphere of sympathy pervading the : wliolef, gathering. During the afternoon two songs wero contributed by Mrs. Ironside and afternoon tea was dispensed by the house committee. .