A HOME FOR GIRLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18814, 15 September 1924, Page 8

A HOME FOR GIRLS.

THE PLACu OF THE Y.W.CA.

CAMPAIGN FOR £1800 STARTED.

EXTENSION OF WORK INTENDED.

The annual finance campaign in aid of the Y.W.CA. is being undertaU.1 1 this month to furnish funds for ma/da*lining the association's work among gUls at its full efficiency. It is estimated that £1800 will be needed to meet general maintenance expenses, and to advance tho immigration and educational work of tho association. la an appeal to citizens, the president, Mrs. G. H. Wilson, and the chairman of tho Advisory Board, Mr. J. W. Court, point out that while the hostel and cafeteria are/revenue-producing departments, tho more important work of charactertraining for girls, which is carried on through tho Girl Citizens' Movement and organised club work, cannot possibly be self-supporting. The building is ; at tho service of all girls and women, irrespective olf membership, and hundreds every day use tho lounge, reading room, restrooms, and information servico. The officers regard it as having been entrusted to them by the citizens of Auckland for the welfare of all' women. The Y.W.CA. hostel has become an important and indispensable institution in the life of the city. There is seldom an empty bed, and wnon compelled to refuse permanent girls, a homo is usually fojmd in a suitable place ojsewhere. Preference is always given to the younger girls seeking board, to those receiving small salaries, and to the .stranger in tho city. The proposed special appeal for funds in connection with this hostel has been postponed until next year. Tho immigration work of the association grows in importance each year. Of 181 girls who arrived in Auckland from overseas during the last 12 months, 90 came direct to tho association, the others going to friends and relatives in and about the city. Of the arrivals during tho vear, 50 became members of tho associa-' tion. Although it is not possible to find positions for the newcomers when they first arrive, the association is often able to help them in tho case of a second job, and also if they aro finding it difficult to settle down to some of our " queer " Now Zealand ways. There aro many applications for domestic help, as many as 77 in threo months. A lady who is interested in the Y.W.G.A. in Johannesburg, visited Auckland last week and walked through the local Y.W.CA. at lunch time. Many business girls were in the cafeteria, two were having a short tennis practice on tho roof, somo others, over-tired, snatched a j short rest on the restroom couches, while many others sought sunny spots on the roof and balcony to read quietly for tho remainder of the short noonr rest. " I realise, as I travel," she said, "that tho Y.W.CA. is not exactly aliko in any two places, but in each city it has behind it citizens studying to meet the needs of the girls in their own local conditions." After comparing tho great army of women wage-earners of to-day with the few timid souls who ventured forth to earn their living in the dim eighties, the visitor remarked that tho city that "fired enough to provide a well-equipped centre whero meals were furnished cheaply, whore everything was planned for tho comfort and well-being of girls, whero there were no caste lines, was surely making a good investment for its future. " Yet the practical provision," she said, " of a lounge open to all women for rest, an information service ready for tho thousand-and-ono inquiries that come— lodgings, a job—tho housing bureau, tho hostel, aro but a part of the service rendered by tho 'Y' to tho community. For hundreds it is a centre of comradeship, a place where girls together roach out after health and knowledge and inspiration."