Y.M.S.A.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11223, 31 May 1922, Page 3

Y.M.S.A.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the national executive of the Y.M.C.A. was held at national headquarters during the week. There were present Messrs U. W. Kersley (chair), C. M. Luke, .1. C. Port, W. C. Hemery, W. H. Denton, General Richardson, C. R. Edmond, G. W. W. B. Hughes, and A. Varney. Correspondence was dealt with "rom the world's committee. Geneva, regarding the boys' work conference in Czechoslovakia, June, 1023. New Zealand was urged to send a strong delegation. The convention is to deal with “The Place of Boyhood in the Nations of the World/' It was reported that commissions were at work collating information on the physical, .legal, religious, vocational, domestic, civic, and national aspects of boy life in New Zealand. Similar commissions are meeting in all countries. / SECRETARIAL TRAINING. It was reported that the Metropolitan Associations were conducting training classes for their employed staffs, each group being affiliated. to the federation of local Y.M.C.A. training* centres. It was reported that the national executive had been requested to find suitable employed officers for various Positions in association centres. The national general vsecretary stressed the fact that the coins© of training for employed officers was absolutely essential. The New Zealand movement needed men qualified both as freneral secretaries and physical directors. STAFF. The following staff committee was DppointedMessrs H. W. Kersley, C. M. Luke, and W. C. Jlemery. EDUCATIONAL WORK. A progress report on the affiliation of the New Zealand movement with the United Y.M.C.A. schools was presented, and emphasised the need for a vigorous educational policy. MEMBERSHIP REPORT. A progress report on the recent membership effort was received, showing that the largest numerical increase (303) had been registered in Christchurch, and the Largest percentage increase <136 per cent.) tn Timaru. A number of the associations have not yet completed their effort. It was resolved to send letter of congratulation to all associations reporting an Increase of over 25 per cent. FOREIGN WORK. It was resolved to urge all associations to meet their obligations to the New Zealand work at Hyderabad, India, at an early date. Encouraging reports ore coming to hand from the three Australasian secretaries on the field. " MILITARY DEPARTMENT.

Reference continuation of services to returned soldiers in nospitals.—Negotiations are still proceeding between the Red Cross Society, the Salvation Army, and the Y.M.C.A., in conjunction with the! Public Health Department and the War Funds Council, and it is expected that some definite anouncement will be made in the near future, as to the policy which is to govern the future activities among the returned disabled men. In the meantime the policy is to reduce expenditure in ratio to the number of patients. In accordance with this policy, the Y.M.C.A. hospital hut in* Trentham camp has been closed down, but the Soldiers* Club is being kept going in the meantime. A recommendation has been received from the Auckland centre of % the Red Cross Society suggesting that the number of nights on which pictures are shown at the Evelyn Firth Home be reduced from two nights to one night weekly.— It was resolved that this recommendation be carried into effect ae soon as arrangements could be made. During the past month a request was received from the general secretary of the Returned Soldiers* Association for a report on Y.M.C.A. service among disabled soldiers in the various hospitals and san&tQEig.-' This information was required so as to enable it to be included in the annual rej>ort of the Returned Soldiers* Association. Thiß report was sent forward, and the following letter has been received in reply:— Please accept my warmest thanks for your kindness in sending me your report on Y.M.C.A. activities among our disabled soldiers in the various hospitals and sanatoria. It is most gratifying to know that the magnificent work performed by the among the soldiers in France is being continued among our unfortunate comrades in the various hospitals. ...” A letter of appreciation and a framed photograph of th© ship, to be hung in the Soldiers' Club, Trentham, was received from the Commander of the H.M S. Chatham, for services rendered to their skip's company during the period of their training in Trentham Camp. A general report was submitted by the military" secretary, giving information that the service at the larger hospitals dealing with disabled soldiers was being carried ofi efficiently.

INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT. A general report was submitted dealing with industrial work carried on by the committee at the different centres throughout the Dominion. The Y.M.C.A. is now operating in fixe construction works under the direction of the Public Works Department, in addition to three private company plants. The work is now passing beyond the experimental stage, and is proving a very vital part of the social life in the different centres where recreation huts have been erected and equipped. A request was received from the workers at Omana. tunnel on the North Auckland Main Trunk, and it was decided to help this body of workmen by providing a library and recreational equipment until such time as it is possible to instal a secretary. A letter was also received from Matamata in reference to the Arepuni electric power works, and the committee is keeping thi© centre in mind as it is anticipated that there will be a large number of men employed there at no distant date.