Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 216, 14 August 1918, Page 7

Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE.

The following resolutions were adopted at the Y.M .C.A. Conference which concluded its session at Hastings oo Monday «this Conference express its hearty appreciation of the kindness of the Mayor and Municipal Council, for granting the use of the Council Chamber, Municipal Assembly Hall and Committee rooms.” ‘‘That we {dace on record our appreciation of the ministers’ action in opening their pulpits to the delegates and for their attendance at the Conference and participation in .the discussions.” “That we extend to the Press our sincere thanks for their full report' of the Conference.” “That we acknowledge by a hearty vote of thanks the hospitality extended our delegates by the hosts and hostesses of Hastings ; to the Ladies Auxiliary for the kindness in providing the Father and Son and Sunday evening teas; to the musicians ; to those who prepared papers and those who came long distances to address the Conference; and the members of the Hastings Board of Directors; and last, but not least, to Mr. King, the local and district secretary, and those associated with him in planning for and carrying out the excellent arrangments for the Conference.” ‘‘That this District Conference records its thanks to the Bev. Bennett for’lds paper on “£hfe Maori Young Man.*-’ That the Conference fhorottghly sympathises with the movefor establishing the Y.M.C.A. among the Maori young men and urges the National Committee, if the war continues, to appoint at the earliest possible moment a field sec rbtary for service abroad with the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, also to endeavour to arrange for i secretary to organise our movement in Settlements in New ZeaThe Conference came to the following findings:— The study and discussion of the Hawke’s Bay District brought out the fact that there is no better disitricb.m tfee Dominion for the inauguSjtioß and development of an allTottrfd district Work. It 'wee made very dear that while tfieted is not the spectacular about the h6qte ivdr£ at this time, there was

never a more opportune tune for the introduction of rural work in the Dominion. The problem is a question of men, not opportunity, openings, or money but m®n. It was decided that greater effort must be made to secure the needed men. It was decided to recommend .to the National Committee the securing of a Maori secretary as early as possible for the work abroad, also that another secretary for the work at Home. It was made very clear the nonequipment type of work can be introduced in any small community by a small interested 'group of men who nave the welfare of the beys ant. young men at heart. The Conference declared its unswerving loyalty to the church. Emphasis was placed on the work for boys. The inauguration of the Father and Son tea was satisfactory and wiil be recommended through the National Committee to every Association m the Dominion. The work should include campaigns for thrift, efficiency, and the sex question, as handled by such men as Dr. Pettit. In the last analysis the progress ot the work depends upon the investment of time, money and talents, on the l part of interested citizens in the moral, physical and spirtual welfare of young meh and boys in the community. President "Wilson has rightly said, “That the average intelligence of the modern community is judged in these days by its interest in its Young Men’s Christian Associations.”