Dominion Conference of Y.W.C.A.

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 209, 3 September 1943, Page 2

Dominion Conference of Y.W.C.A.

Mrs. David Smith, Dominion president of the Y.W.C.A. of New Zealand, read to i the National Conference now in session in Christchurch, a telegram from Mrs. Roosevelt. The telegram reads as follows: *T regret extremely an overcrowded schedule prevents my accepting your kind invitation. Please convey to the women of your organisation my appreciation. You are doing a grand work.—Eleanor Roosevelt.” Mrs. Roosevelt had visited the War Workers’ Hostels at Woburn which are administered by the Y.W.C.A. and has been received there by Mrs. D. A. Ewen, chairman of the Hutt Valley Y.W.C.A. Committee, Mrs. A. H. Hoby and Miss Violet Macmdlan, hostel superintendent. At the National Conference now in ses- 1 sion, delegates are making a study of the Christian teaching regarding the ‘Resources of the Earth’ and the idea of community as part of the study of the Christian Basis of the New Social Order. The Rev. Raymond Dudley is leading the devotional sessions on these themes. An important series of lecture discussions entitled "Towards international Undersianuing ’ is in progress. Dr. I. L. G. Sutherland gave a stimulating exposition of tho technical and mechanical contrivances whereby distance has been almost annihilated, anu whereby events occurring in one country are known almost simultaneously in every part of the world. Dr. Sutherland emphasised that although physical distance has been bridged, great chasms of distance still remain to be bridged. These chasms arc caused by spiritual and psychological differences between peoples and races. Dr. Sutherland gave striking illustrations of the use to which propaganda is put in the attempt to develop amongst peoples a common point of view. ll© showed how this weapon of propaganda had been used most unscrupulously by some of the dictator powers. The lecturer stressed the great importance of education, genuine search for truth as opposed to the partial truths of propaganda. In tho lecture on Germany which isj part of the series towards international < understanding, Dr. O. H. Frankel and Mr. A. C. Brassington presented an historical outline showing the development of the present German Empire—showing also the strength of the Junker class, both in military ways and economic ways and illustrating the effects of the protective tariffs raised round G©rmany to protect her wheat and iron industries. Dr. Frankel gave evidence of the increasing impulse to world domination which had characterised Germany during the last half century. There was very vigorous discussion by I the Conference delegates as to ways and which controls might be exercised in the post-war period to prevent any nation becoming an aggressor nation and imperilling the peace of the w-orld. Two more lectures will be given in this series towards International Understanding, one on China by Mr. Winston Rhodes and the other, U.S.A. by Mrs. L. G. Pocock. The conference is enjoying perfect weather in Christchurch and has been the recipient of very great hospitality from members and friends of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A.