YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14983, 1 May 1909, Page 10

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODS.

THE GENERAL SECRETARY’S IMPRESSIONS.

Air George Stoning, general secretary of the Christchurch loung Men’,* Christian Association, who has boon on a twelve months’ tour in Great Britain and America, returned to Christchurch on Wednesday. Last night he gave a “ Lyttelton Times ” reporter some interesting information concerning the work that is being done in tiie countries he has visited in popularising the Association.

Air Stoning attended tho annual conference of British secretaries in Wales last June, and there gained some striking knowledge of the splendid work the Association was doing in connection with the Territorial movement in Great Britain. The Association, lie said, provided largo marquees at all district camps, fitted up as social, reading and writing rooms. Light refreshments and temperance drinks wero also provided. This new movement of the Association had met with tho almost universal approval and practical support, of tho military leaders, and had received the special commendation of the Secretary for War. So popular had this particular movement become that tho army canteen system had been very seriously affected, and it was thought in some quarters that there would be difficulty in years to come in getting publicans to tender for canteens at Territorial cainps. On his arrival in America, Mr Stoning attended tho annual Summer School of tho Young Alen’s Christian Association, hold at Silver Bay, New York. At these camps special term courses are held, which enable secretaries, who have not been able to avail themselves of the facilities offered by the regular training schools at Chicago and Springfield, Massachusetts, to get a good insight into tho practical application of the principles and ideals of tho American Association.

When Mr Stoning left Silver Bay he visited twenty-five cities in the United States and in several took up temporary appointments in order to acquire an intimate knowledge, of tho inner working of tho Association. The secret of the success that had attended the Association’s work in America was, ho said, to bo found in the business-like methods and continuous hard work. Americans were not content to let things happen, they sought to bring them to pass. Each association bad a definite policy and worked in all its undertakings on a definite policy, not infrequently covering periods of from three to five years. Tims any success became merely an incentive to still greater effort in the future. Air Stoning added that naturally the very liberal financial support accorded by business men to the Association was a very material factor in the remarkable success of the American Association®. American business men of to-day recognised the value of moral worth in business, and claimed that, money given to an institution that succeeded in ’developing character was not charity, but a business investment. Air Stoning said that all the modern Association buildings wore now equipped with dormitories, and although in most cases the charges would appear somewhat high to NeSw Zealanders, there were long ‘-'waiting lists.” He felt sure that the Christchurch Association would prove the splendid advantages the dormitory' system offered. • . With reference to the physical side of the Association’s work, Air Storing said that the basis of the American system was to make the gymnasium practice attractive by providing an intelligent admixture of exercise, play and relaxation, and it had gained great popularity, especially when supplemented bv up-to-date bathing and bath facilities. Summer camps and educational work were two other attractive features that bad been introduced into the work of the American Association, and had both mot with a remarkable measure of success. Mr Sterling hopes to persuade the executive in Christchurch to adopt, several of the more striking features in connection with the United States organisations, and he feels sure, he says, that if they were adopted the Young Men's Christian Association would enter upon a popular, progressive and glorious epoch in its history in New Zealand.