Y.W.C.A. IDEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 3

Y.W.C.A. IDEALS

WOMEN OF TO-DAY OPENING OF CONVENTION At the official opening of tho fourth national convention of the Young Women's Christian Association, in Wellington last week, Ilis Excellency tho Governor-General, Lord was present and made a speech pointing out the significance of tho letter "C" in the title of tho organisation. ITis Excellency referred to the worldwide organisation of women, to tho huge membership of the association, and to the magnificent work on behalf of. womanhood generally, and of young girls in particular, dono by the organisation. Ho understood that tho tliemo of the convention wag "tho woman citizen in a changing world." In this connection ho quoted an old maxim, "Times change and wo must needs change with them." Tho world was changing, and the outlook of women was certainly different from that of their parents, and that of previous generations. That it was misled or erroneous, however, ho would be tho last to contend. If tiuieg were changing, as changing they were with unnerving and startling rapidity, yet there were certain conceptions which were held by all enlightened and Christian people that could never change.

His Excellency spoke in tho highest terms of the Y.W.C.A. hostels throughout tho world, and of the family spirit and feeling of comfort that characterised them. Ho also referred to tho selfsacrificing and materially useful work done by tho association during this period of economic distress. Tho cause of tho depression, concluded his Excellency, was largely to be found in tho lack of Christianity, and in connection with this lie urged the convention not to forgot tho "C" in their title. Brief reference to the thcinc of the convention, "Women in a changing world," was made by the general secretary, Miss J. Stevenson, who referred to the change in living brought about by the industrial revolution in England, which resulted in tho establishment of a community spirit. It seemed to her that today there was a similar change to that which took place so many years ago. Today, women were faced with very great social changes and responsibilities. Miss Stevenson epoke of the tendencies to hang on to old ideas and syslems after they had outlived thoir sphere of usefulness.

These superstitions, she continued, as ono might call them, were gradually breaking down, and people were beginning to see the necessity for more even distribution of ideas and methods. The advancement of women in various aspects of life was dealt with, and the necessity for women to make some contribution to the new adjustment of social life stressed.

Tho education of the young woman citizen was something that should be seriously considered, continued Miss Stevenson. She saw great possibilities in this connection. So far, any great contribution to real training and real thinking had not been made, but in the Y.W.C.A. lay one of the possibilities of education of the young woman of to-day.