GIRL CITIZENS

Evening Star, Issue 20506, 10 June 1930, Page 9

GIRL CITIZENS

Y.Wi.C.A. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE OUHEDIH IN THE LEAD The membership drive of the y.W.C.A., which is being held in the interests of the girl citizen movement in New Zealand, is creating a great deal of enthusiasm throughout the dominion. The campaign takes the form of a competition among all the towns where there is an association, and a in the race for the honour of gathering in the most members in proportion to the population Dunedin at present holds a handsome lead. Some idea of the movement can be gleaned from a perusal of * The Girl Citizen,’ a book written by Miss Leila Bridgman, national chief counsellor of tlie girl citizen movement of New Zealand, which is full of interest and of fine ideals. Jin the chapter in which she deals with the citizens’ law of loyalty, she quotes the Athenian oath, which runs as follows;—“ We will never bring disgrace on this, our city, by an act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks. We will fight for the ideal and sacred things of this city. We will revere and obey the city’s laws, and do our best to excite a like respect and reverence in those about us who are prone to annul them and set them at naught.- We will strive unceasingly to quicken a public sense of duty, and thus in all these ways we will transmit this city, not only not less, but greater and better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.” This is a high and solemn ideal ior those just growing up to citizenship in their community, and it is this ideal that the girl citizen movement, through clubs of every description (physical culture, handwork of all types, folk dancing, singing, music, dramatics, reading, vesper times) gives expression to and holds before its members. The earnest co-operation of all is asked in the way of acquainting girls with the activities of tne Y.W.C.A., and thereby increasing the membership. In the membership campaign the results are computed on the basis of the percentage of new members secured in relation to present membership in each centre. Dunedin is leading so far with 17.5, next in order being Auckland 14, T'maru 13.3. Now Plymouth 10.5, Palmerston North 10, and Christchurch 2.75.

The “ drive ” continues till June 14