Y.W.C.A. MEMBERS' AT HOME

Evening Star, Issue 21079, 16 April 1932, Page 22

Y.W.C.A. MEMBERS' AT HOME

A very interesting function took place on Monday afternoon in the Y.W.C.A. Hall, which was transformed for the occasion into a veritable autumn garden, the guest of honour being Miss Jean Stevenson, dominion secretary of the Y.W.C.A. The hostesses on this occasion were the Board of Directors and committee members, who entertained the members and friends of the association, Mrs E. E. Nicholson presiding. Miss Stevenson was introduced in her official capacity, and it was pointed out that although this was her first official visit to Dunedin, yet a great number in the audience were her own personal friends. In addressing the gathering she said she would assume that, being members, it was not necessary to enlarge on the ideals of the association, and therefore would speak on the Y.W.C.A. as a constructive force in the community, and its place in this special time of crisis. Miss Stevenson sketched the activities of the association during the previous crisis—the Great War and showed how it had risen to that occasion and in the process had developed and widened its scope of work, She realised the difficulties of supporting both palliative and _ constructive agencies with depleted incomes, but urged all present to bear in mind the necessity for keeping up the general morale of youth, stressing the fact that girls are the strategic factor in the life of any community. The Y.W.C.A. is an organisation concerned with not only the helping of people to further a cause, but with the making of those people to further great causes. Miss Stevenson concluded her inspiring talk with an appeal for the support, however small, of every class of the community. . , Miss Nonie Hardie, general secretary, briefly outlined the work of the various departments of the Y.W.C.A. in Dunedin:—Employment, thrift, hostel, cafeteria, lounge, inquiry, classes, clubs, Girls’ Citizens, physical culture, sports, etc. Four ways were suggested in which those present could help— (1) by helping to form a Y.W.C.A. Auxiliary. (2) By getting friends to enrol as sustaining members (5s to ii is;. (3) By giving an entertainment or money-raising effort at home. (4) By giving a drawing-room meeting to spread interest. Mrs Denton Leech proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers. Afternoon tea was served in the hall, and during the proceedings two appropriate songs were contributed by Miss G. Rule. , ~ Among those present were Lady I enwick, Mesdames H. Shacklock, Ross, R. J. T. Bell, Taverner. 3. G. Secular, G. Batbam, E. h. Nicholson, H. B. Elder, C. M. Begg, H. M'Allum, Adamson, J. S. Boss, K. Jack, Hercus, Porteous, Aikman, J. C. Begg, R. N. Field, C. Fowler, J. A. D. Iverach, Laurence Cook, M'Gowan, M'Millan, G. Reid, W. Stevenson, P. Y. Wales Vere, J. Watson E C. Service, Dykes, H. L. Cook, Benson, Dick, P. G. Dick, Paton Dunlon N G. Brewer, R. H. Stevenson, David Todd, Russell, Fairbairn, Partridge, Somerville, Fraser, Cameron, Stewart, Lawson, J. A Jenkins, Haddock, J. Cleghorn, A. M. Begg, Borne, G. Bell, W, Smith, Mandeno, Leather, Scott planer, Richards, F. B. Adams, Aslin, I. M Donald, o'Callaghan, Hogg, Miles, Anderson, W. H. Adams, Robson, Alexander, Misses Caigill, Little (2), Gillies, M. Black, B. Stevenson, G. Rule, Allan, Heicus, Cooper, Coull, R. Neil, Taylor (2), Perm! n, Wither (2), Nora Elder, M'Cosh Smith, Stenhouse (2), Cairns, Hutton, Chisholm,i; Wright, Stark, M. Ford, Rawnsley, and Sister Laura.