Y.M.C.A.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 100, 28 March 1925, Page 7

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. DANCING NOT FAVOURED. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North Young Men’s Christian Association was held last night, Mr T. R. Plodder, chairman of tho board of directors, presiding over a good attendance of members. The annual report, which traversed the work of the different departments, and which has already been published, was adopted, while matters of finance were discussed. The election of tho board of directors for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Messrs J. Wallace (president), G. C. Keeblo and J. C. Young (vice-presidents), T. R. Plodder (chairman), J. PI. Stevens, E. L. Foddy, E. Wycherley, G. I. McGregor, W. B. Tennent, J. IT. Dick, E. C. llisted, PI. J. Harris, J. R. Cunninghame, G. G. Wilson and G. PI. Trott.

It was decided to incorporate in tho minutes an appreciation of the invaluable services to the association by three of the retiring members of the board, Messrs W. B. Catneron, J. Balsillie and M. H. Oram. The other retiring members were accorded a hearty vole of thanks. The matter of allowing dancing in the institution was raised when a petition from association members was received. The document, which was signed by 42 senior male members, requested that indulgence in dancing at socials in the association’s building be allowed, the, conditions suggested being that the dancers be restricted to Y.M.C.A. members and their lady friends, and placed under the conduct of the social committee. It was felt by those petitioning that the introduction of dancing at socials would attract new members, energise the present social activities, and provide a substantial income to help the directors meet the financial demands of association activities.

In speaking to the meeting, the chairman stated that in all Y.M.C.A’s throughout the world cards and dancing were banned, the former being definitely tabooed by the Palmerston North body. The speaker himself played cards, but it was a matter of tho association’s policy. It was not a matter of whether it was right or wrong to have dancing in a Christian organisation, but whether it was expedient. The national council was against dancing, and as long as tho association belonged to that body, and as long as it was looked to for a policy, then just as long would the association have to be governed by that policy. Dancing was a very estimable pastime in the proper place, but it was queolionable whether it should be allowed in the institution. It did not matter how it was restricted, an undesirable element would always creep in. Personally, he did not think that the introduction of dancing was desirable. While some new members might be gained, more would be lost, owing to exception being taken to the move when it was not universally in practice among Christian congregations. Ml- G. C. Keeble disagreed with the chairman when he , stated that it was a question as to whether it was expedient to have dancing in the Y.M.C.A., us the institution was a Christian organisation. “One would gather from that remark,” said the speaker, ''that no Christian should dance,” The chairman replied that it was purely a matter of the association’s policjt Dancing had been tried in various similar associations, but had been dropped. It was still in practice in Wanganui, as there was no gymnasium in connection with the association there, but it was yet to be seen if it were a pronounced success. Mr J. IT. Dick, in moving that the policy of the association remain as at present, stated that lie believed dancing would come in tho future.

After being seconded by Mr E. L. Foddy, the motion was carried, the chairman stating that if the national council declared that dancing should be taken up in Y.M.C.A.’s, the local body yould accept tho policy. *