WORK OF THE Y.W.C.A.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16204, 14 April 1916, Page 6

WORK OF THE Y.W.C.A.

WOMEN'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

VISIT.OF NATIONAL SECRETARY.

The visit of Miss Hnle . Barnes, national secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association for New Zealand and Australia has been anticipated with keen interest by all members ''' the usociation, and the- socia; heiu last night in St. Andrew's Hall tc .mark her visit was well attended and :nost successful.

Mrs. J. McKail Geldes, president of tho Auckland branch, welcomed Miss Barnes back to Auckland, and at the same time expressed deep regret that this would be her final visit. Miss Barnes undertook the secretaryship for a period of three years, but has remained five years.

Miss Barnes outlined the work done at the recent New Zealand conference at Dunedin, and gave details of the great tri-annual convention to be held at Sydney next October, to which every branch of the association throughout New Zealand and Australia will be invited to send delegates. The great idea of this convention, said Miss Barnes, would be to set before the people in visible form, some idea of what the Y.W.O.A. was accomplishing. To this end contests would be held in which each individual and dub might take part. 'i».ese contests would be held in three classes, girls under 20, girls over 20, board women and sustaining members, and would embrace both scriptural and practical domestic subjects. One section, for in* stance, would be devoted to Bible and mission study, another to such practical work as the making of a child s or a business girl's dress outfit, while personal economy and thrift would also be included. Another aim of the convention would be to raise the Australasian membership from VuOO to io,ooo, but the aim of the association was not merely enlargement—it earnestly desired to help the girls to a better realisation of their great duties and responsibilities at the present time. Miis Barnes spoke of the great opportunities that had come to women during the war period, and of the great work to he done in directing women's efforts to tie best and highest ends. This was work which the Y.W.O.A. was earnestly striving to do.