A WORLD-WIDE FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13487, 14 May 1907, Page 6

A WORLD-WIDE FORCE.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN

ASSOCIATION. '-

A WONDERFUL STORY OF PROGRESS.

[BY :■ TELEGRAPH. —PEESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Monday. '* I have had the trip of my life," remarked Mr. Holmes, general secretary of the Wellington Young Men's Christian Association, in conversation with a Post representative. He had just returned from America. He left New Zealand in October to examine the work of the Young Men's Christian' Association in the United States and Canada, and to note the progress of all kindred institutions. ..:.' "-;/■/',: '.': . • Mr. Holmes landed in Vancouver and Los Angeles, and from there he went on through Salt Lake City, Denver, and Chicago, to the eastern cities, New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, and others. He stayed in all these places in order to make himself familiar with the work. He found that the association had "tremendous influence and status" through the country, and was heartily recognised by. the Government. In every city there was a modern association building, either in course of erection or already open. In San Francisco half a million of. money has been subscribed to replace; the buildings that were destroyed by the earthquake and fire. In Los Angeles and Seattle there is similar.activity. Dayton, the home of the cash register, a city with a population of; under 100,000, has a new building worth £90,000..

In Canada the progress has Iso been remarkable. Mr. Holmes was present at a building campaign in Ottawa, and '''.this, city, with a population of only 70,000, little larger than .Wellington, furnished £40,000 in fourteen days. Great cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston had perhaps 20 association buildings of various kinds, and throughout the country the movement- was recognised as. perhaps the greatest force in helping young men when they' came in contact with the "temptations of ; modern city life. A sum of over £2,000,000 was at present involved in new buildings. ; The movement was endorsed by all men, from President. Roosevelt and the chairmen of great railway corporations and industrial enterprises, down to the humblest citizen. There were association buildings at every terminal point of the railways to house the men, and'- similar buildings were up in connection [ with colleges and universities. The work had also found an Quarlet in the great manufacturing establish' ments.' 'Many corporations / were erecting buildings for the use of the employees. Altogether, the work in North America had progressed more during the last six years than during the preceding 20 years. "It's simply leaping, ahead," says Mr. Holmes. "It is a very potent force. Separate buildings and suites of rooms are included in every association enterprise entirely for the use of boys."

When Mr. Holmes was visiting Washingtan the boys were conducting a building campaign and the captains of the brigades were Archie Roosevelt (son of the President), and Osman Bey (son of the Turkish Ambassador). v One feature of Special < interest, was : the : matter ■of dormitories, which are to be included in the Wellington building. During one night that the New Zealander stayed-at the 23rd street New York branch, there , were 300 young men living under one roof. In the matter of foreign work, so; wide has been the view of the international committee in New ; York ibat there y are now fifty ;or .sixty secretaries working ; for young men in : foreign lands, chiefly the Orient. 1 Their salaries are paid by the : North J American association, this work being entirely under the supervision of the 'i North :i American association.