Conference of Y.W.C.A of New Zealand

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 208, 2 September 1943, Page 2

Conference of Y.W.C.A of New Zealand

The Dominion Conferenco of tho Y.W.C.A. continued its sessions with an enquiry into the effects of the war on the life of girls and women in New Zeala-nd. Special attention was given to tho ways in which the home life had been affected by the call-up of the woman power of the Dominion and particularly by the employment of married women. Certain psychological effects were noted as a result of the fact that many girls faced the poss.bility of uncongenial employment and of employment which might offer no future at the conclusion of tho war. It was noted on the other hand that many girls find the experience of new fields of employment stimulating and full of hope for the future. This discussion will continue during the conference and is part of an enquiry being made by the World's Y.W.C.A.

Other topics at the conference have been dealt with by sectional groups. Board members from all centres gathered on Monday afternoon and conducted a Board Members’ Brains’ Trust. During this session, many important matters connected with the policy and organisation of the associations were discussed, particularly the relationship of the volunteer and professional leadership within the Y.W.C.A. The Board members took time also to consider ways in which the opinions of the girl members might with greater readiness bo expressed in the government and policy of the associations.

During a sectional gathering of the conference, tho young adults discussed the development of leadership capabilities amongst the g*rl members and the continued emphasis upon democratic practice within the Y.W.C.A. The Business and Professional Women’s section of the Conference had given considerable time to the discussion of the problems of postwar rehabilitation of women employed in industries and also of those women taking the posts of men who have been called up for military service. The Conference has had many lighter aspects, notably the musie sessions under the direction of Miss Joan Fearn, and the periods of physical exercise and relaxation under the expert instruction of Madame Tagiicht and Madame Binswanger. Tho sectional groups of the Conference have found discussions much facilitated by the fact that these sectional gatherings have been held in private homes and the Conference has expressed its indebtedness to the hostesses, Mrs. C. H. Clemens, Mrs. P. E. Starr and Mrs. E. D. Sinoock.