DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 25 March 1943, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS

.FIFTEENTH Y.M.C.A. CONVENTION. WELLINGTON, March 24. The fifteenth annual convention of the Y.M.C.A. opened this morning. 'About 30 delegates from all parts of New Zealand were present, Mr. C. R. Edmond presiding. H e . said that most work was now war work ,and ton much praise could not be given to helpers. Unfortunately, the zeal of some had led them to go ahead of the front line, with the result they were taken prisoner. Local work had suffered from lack of leaders, but all the same, work among the boys continued, providing a sure foundation for the building up of a future civilisation, which was faced with the alternatives of Christianity or chaos. He mentioned that the Y.M.C.A. centenary occurred next year, and if the war was over, the celebrations would take place in London, with representatives from, all parts of the world. At any rate, these celebrations would take place some time. Moving the adoption of the report. Mr. C. S. Falconer said that wherever men are, there is the Y.M.C.A.. and he instanced that the Y.M.C.A. in Sweden was in contact with the prisoners of war in Japan. There were 25 camps in Japanese-occupied territory, and seven in Japan, Korea and Formosa, and many had been visited b v Swedish Y.M.C.A. officials. Information received bv th e Y.M.C.A. showed that, o n the whole, prisoners in Japanese hands were being well treated. English books from Tokio had been supplied to some of the camps, and were much appreciated.