YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17083, 15 August 1917, Page 9

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Young Women's Christian Association was held last evening, Mr G. M. 'Thomson presiding ever a good attendance of ladies. Tho annual report stated, inter alia, that during the year 353 new members wero enrolled and 181 lapsed; tho total membership now was 862, as compared with 690 last year, Tho total amount paid over to the national foreign department of tho association was £31 7s 4d. During tho year a mission study circle was held under the direction of Mrs W. Ilewitson, and proved most beneficial to the students. There were 30 permanent residents at the hostel, comprising business girls, students, and fchool-gu-ls. In addition, 582 visitors had stayed at tho hostel during the year. Many of the classes had been dropped, and "only those which _ did not duplicate tho work of other organisations were continued-. Tho dressmaking class was part of the King Edward Technical College work, and 3a students had passed through it in tho, year just ended.

■ The statement of receipts and expenditure showed that £1266 14s had been paid for board and £189 4s lOd for luncheons, and that the total receipts amounted to £3443 15s Bd. The heaviest items on the expenditure side were: Ilousekeep.ng, £569 0s 6d; salaries and wages, £650 7s 6d; rents, insurances, etc., £91 19s lid; lighting and firing, £122 Is 9d; furnishings and repairs, £99 17s Id; general office expenses, £120 9s Tho balance hi the Bank of New Zealand on July 31 was ££6 Os 6d, in the savings bank £115 15s Id, and on deposit £158 13s lid. There was a credit on the year's working of £5 0s sd. Mr G. M. Thomson, in moving tho adoption of the report, said he was sure that the need of the association was felt most strongly by everyone who took an interest in the social and religious life of this community. He had been watching it grow, and had also been watching the strong ana growing need of tho association—in fact, he was afraid that the need was growing faster than the association could cope with it. It was the duty of tho association to so influence girls that the home life, which appar ently was weakening, might be- strengthened. Respecting picture entertainments, which attracted numbers of jprie, he said that in place of having one censor we should have half a dozen. Ho had seen pictures shown which should not have been passed. lie considered that films suggestive of immorality should be stamped out altogether. He congratulated- the association on the increase in its membership, and mado reference to the < numbers of young girls who were permitted to go parading tho streets when they should be in their homes. He was afraid these girls were losing the companionship that they should receive from their mothers, and this was an opportunity for the association to make its presence felt. Regarding the need for a gymnasium, he thought they should try to get the use ot the Y.M.O.A. gymnasium. Miss Andrews: We have tried, but it is in constant use.

Mrs W. H. Duke seconded the motion, which was earrie'd.

The following: board members were elected: —Mesdamcs \V. H. Duke and W. P. Glasgow (re-elected), W. J. Bardsley, E. E. Nicholson, S. Wolf, and J. Logan (elected to fill vacancies on the board). Miss Jean Stevenson (of Melbourne) gave a very interesting account of the way in which the Australian associations were catering for girls employed in factories. They enabled them to have regular physical training, and thus helped them to preserve their health, while intellectually tho girls were helped It was an address which, delivered in a conversational way, served to show what a vast amount of ground is being covered by the association in the interest of young women in particular and tho Christian churches in general. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, special votes being accorded to Mesdames Vanes, J. Southey, and Miss J. Callcnder, on the motion of Mrs TT Wilson.

A programme of musical items contributed by ladies present was most enjoyable. After refreshments had been provided the meeting closed with the National Anthem.