HOSTELS

Evening Star, Issue 18258, 24 April 1923, Page 9

HOSTELS

TO THE EDITOXI. Sir,—There is a necessity for hostels in Dunedin, not only for students, but as homes for the girls of the city. Dunedin is the one city of the dominion which has a large population of people more or less connected with trade and commerce —in other words, with that class of employer who stands between farnrer and consumer and sheep farmer and the wearer of clothes. These middlemen—many of them—have grown rich in trade and commerce. They employ a very large number of young girls at the counter, in the office, and in many occupations. Where these girls live is nothing to them, though it ought to be. Consequently the girls often live in surroundings which are anything but good for them, morally or physically—no man careth for their souls. It may no doubt be all right for girls who live in Dunedin; it is not they who are in question. It is the girls who come to a city of 70,C00 people as complete strangers, who know nobody, who (outside their work) have nobody to turn to. It is for these girls that the hostels are to cater. The Y.W.C.A. has clone splendid work; but the Y.W.C.A. is full, and looks already for further extension. The G.F.S. Hostel, at 13 Littkbourne road, is meant to meet that need. _ It is non-sec-tarian—all are welcome within its walls. We have room for twenty-five girls. _ It is only a beginning, it is true, but it is the right kind of a beginning. There is plenty of room for building and extension. The 'situation is splendid; no leap of floods, (text door to the tram, and with a fine outlook over the city and harbor. The matron, Miss Quick, has been installed, and we hope to see the bishop open the hostel on May 12 next, at 3 p.m. I am appealing in your columns to the business men of Dunedin who employ so many girls, and whose businesses are more or less built up on their labor, to help us to begin free of financial anxiety. Wo want about £3CO for necessary improvements and repairs. The firm belief of the Committee of Management is that in a remarkably short time the hostel will not only pay its way, but it will bo a profitable way. We are not asking for perpetual maintenance; wo are simply asking for a start in a work which is a crying need in a big city—a hostel where a father or mother in the country or at a distance may feel sure that their girl, although far away, is safe from the many dangers incidental to loneliness. I feel sure that those business men who are fathers themselves will appreciate what we are trying to do, and will help us.— I am, etc., Edmund R. Nevill. April 24.