Y.W.C.A. “AT HOME”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 184, 5 July 1945, Page 7

Y.W.C.A. “AT HOME”

An insight into her work with the

Y.W.C.A. in India and a graphic description of her travels through Malaya and Java were given by jUiss Jean Stevenson when speaking at an “At Home” tendered in her honour yesterday, the Central Club being tilled with Y.W'.C.A. members. Introducing Miss Stevenson, Mrs C. A. Small (president of the board) referred to the work she had accomplished as national secretary of the New Zealand Y. W.C.A., when she had been largely responsible ior the founding of most of tiie branches in New Zealand. J.ll 193/ she nad retired, but in response to an urgent message from Miss .Jean If egg in 193 b she hud worked for the Y.W'.C.A. in India, latterly as general secretary at Madras, where she was relieved by Miss Mary Green well, formerly of Palmerston North.

Miss Stevenson explained that she had set out in 1933 to see something of the Eastern countries and had journeyed through the Dutch East Indies and Malaya before being culled to India. Travelling as a member of the Y.W.C.A. had enabled her to get nearer to the people of the countries she visited than she would have as a tourist, r lie nutcli peop.e in Java, who had a special interest in New Zealand, had been particularly kind and helpful and she had been privileged to stay in many ot their homes. .Acceding to a request shortly alter her arrival at Singapore, she had assisted with the organisation of a pageant. This eventually resolved itself into a cosmopolitan project in which 24 nationalities had a part, being typical of the international spirit found in Singapore. The theme of the pageant was me progress oi me women of the East together with those of the West and the wnole city bad assisted towards the production of this brilliant spectacle which resulted in the raising of 5000 dollars. The circle drawn to the Y.W.C.A. in Malaya included representatives of all nationalities who worked together in peace and harmony, exemplifying the world fellowship for which the association strove. The largest proportion of Singapore's population was iormod of Chinese, who had a passion for the acquisition of knowledge, and the Y.W.C.A. had organised a number of night schools to help to fill their needs. The Malayans, however, were more backward, but wore beginning to realise the importance of education. Progress was impeded by insufficient schools. Referring to the three aims of the Y.W.C.A., comradeship, growth and purpose, Miss Stevenson said that comradeship had really worked out in Malaya, but was more difficult to achieve in India, where, because ot differences m caste and religion, races and languages had boon kept distinct. It was difficult to speak of India as a whole. Describing some of (ho weekly Y.W.C.A. gatherings in Calcutta, whore sho had boon stationed for one and a half years, and in Madras, Miss Stevenson said tnat the women loved companionship and looked to the Y.W.C.A. for it. The growth of the Y.W.C.A. was not as great as it could be, for contact was necessarily with the educated class tu.cl I the great uneducated masses remained practically untouched. Among the educates section the chief idea of the women was to gain a degree and enter a profession, most, of them confirming with their pro-1 tension even after marriage. There was, however, no thought of contributing to their country’s progress and welfaro through the formation of professional groups. I lie Y.W.C.A. purposed to assist m the establishment of such groups and to inculcate a sense of communal responsibility. I Recause of their intense loyalty to the 1 family group it was difficult to organise clubs or groups. Miss Stevenson also spoke of the extreme difficulty of making pro-, | gross in the social services because of the lack of a means of communication with j tlie uneducated masses. Mrs M. Pearce entertained with vocal I solos accompanied by Miss E. Eyre, and Mrs Small thanked her and Miss Sloven-, son, to whom she presented a shoulder spray.