CARE FOR THE YOUNG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19736, 12 March 1926, Page 10

CARE FOR THE YOUNG.

Y.W.O.A. AND Y.M.C.A. WORK. FORWARD MOVE DESIRED. APPEAL FOR FUNDS. CAMPAIGN INAUGURATED.

A meeting of citizens was held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon for the purpose of launching an appeal for funds for the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Young Women’s Christian Association in Dunedin. The work and aims of both associations were outlined, and a committee was set up to carry out the campaign for funds. In the absence of the Mayor, Dr Marshall Macdonald was voted to the chair. Dr Macdonald explained that the object of the meeting was to launch a cam-

paign for raising funds for enlarging the premises of the, Y.W.C.A. and its club house, and for wiping off the overdraft of the Y.M.C.A. and providing for its boys’ department and other activities. The object was one which must commend itself to everyone. He was sure that both associations were doing good work, especially amongst the young people, and he hoped the appeal would commend itself to the hearts and the pockets of the citizens. Miss Perry stated that one of the main

branches of the Y.W.C.A. was the extension department, of which she was in charge. The aims of that department were the same as those of the association itself. For some time there had been a feeling that they were not always getting in touch with the girls they wanted to reach, and they came to the conclusion that they must get someone who would

go about amongst the girls and make them realise that the association was out to help every girl and every young woman in the community. The association had got into touch with a great many more

girls during the last two years, and had ascertained that girls were exactly the same wherever they worked. The manufacturers had helped them by giving them practically a two years’ guarantee of sup-

port if the work were started. There was a feeling right through the world that they must recognise the human factor. It had been realised that a factory was not successful unless the people working in it were controlled and made to feel tor. It had been realised that a factory community. The human factor must be considered in work, and she had spent her time in getting in touch with the

girls. Nothing ambitious had been done yet, but she thought they were getting the girls to realise their responsibility to one another, with the result that they took more interest in their work and helped the management more in running the factory. One of her activities was to organise games, such as basket-ball and tennis, and she regarded this as important because no young person would he a good worker without being a good sport. The Y.W.C.A. maintained that it had to do with every phase, of a girl’s life, and felt that it had to help them wherever it

could to maintain the highest standard at work as well as at home. The problem ahead was to get the young people to realise that they should attain the highest standards at work and at play so as to become reliable and responsible members of the community. The association s club was a mixed one, where hoys and girls got a better idea of the proper relationship between the sexes. In view

9* the heavy expense involved in conduct's its various activities the association felt justified in asking for financial support to carry on the work. Miss Batt said they wanted the people to understand what was involved in the extension of the work, which had been of very great interest to them. They felt highty complimented owing to the fact that the Melbourne Association had sent its general secretary here to study the work Hunedin and the methods carried out bj Miss Perry.—(Applause.) The association tried to study the girls in relation in their employment and to give them every

opportunity, to learn to make the best use of their leisure time and to get allround development, which was always before thein as th© ideal. The question of mental and spiritual development was never lost sight of. During the Exhibition the hostel had been open all the time, and had an average of 49 permanent boarders. These boarders were not expected to stay more than two years, because accommodation was required for new girls. Extra accommodation had been provided at considerable cost. In addition to the 49 permanent boarders 970 girls and women iiad passed through their gates since the Exhibition was opened. Many of the girls would have been with-

out accommodation but for that provided by the institution. Amongst other activities the association had undertaken the running of a girls’ chib for the female employees at the ~ Exhibition. She thought they had very useful work before them in helping girls to get employment at the close of the Exhibition. At Christmas they entertained a party of about 50 girls and women in conjunction with the Victoria League, and gave them a very pleasant time. One of the objects of the appeal was to develop the work along the lines of health. They were anxious that girls should be better safeguarded in the matter of health than they were at present. There was too much wastage in health between tlie time, a girl left school and the time she married. She hoped the public would support them in every possible way w T hen the appeal was launched. The Rev, H. E. Bellhouse, who spoke on behalf of the Christian congregations, assured the promoters of the campaign of very genuine and hearty support, and of a very anxious desire for success. The churches were in the fullest accord and deepest sympathy with the work of both associations. He had heard of branches of Christian associations in other parts of the world that did not command the confidence of the churches, but that did not apply in New. Zealand. The associations here were doing work which lay outside the province of the churches and which the churches could not possibly hope to do. The churches did not regard them ns rivals, but rather as accessories, and prayed for every success in their operations. The churches deplored the fact that the associations had so often to pursue work under the handicap of financial disabilities. He trusted ■ they would realise in the fullest measure all the aims they had in view. He hoped the people would rally round them and render all the assistance and cooperation in their power. Mr Adair said he thought the Y.M.C.A.’s greatest work would always be in the care of adolescent boys. It was keenly realised that there was urgent need for work amongst the boys and girls in the city. Their work dealt largely with the leisure

time of boys. Dunedin was not lagging behind in the work of building up character and citizenship. Everything must be carried out with the aim of building up Christian character. The Y.M.C.A. had a membership of over 400, and a great variety of activities was carried on. The team spirit which was a great thing for a boy, was always maintained, and thus group loyalty was encouraged. Mr J. B. Waters said the great difficulty of the directors of the Y.M.C.A was to make both ends meet. The receipts, which were between £SOOO and £6OOO a year, were barely sufficient to cover the expenditure. and if it were not for the help they got from those who were interested in the work their overdraft would be larger than it was. Almost invariably there was a shortage of a few hundred pounds unless they were very fortunate. He did not think they could possibly have more careful management than they had on the business side. The cost of living had affected them in the matter of salaries, and the charges for board had been put up as high as they could do. He did not think any firm in Dunedin got as effective work as the Y.M.C.A. got from its staff. Their profits from the boarders amounted to about £3OO per annum. The main criticism was that the association should be self-supporting. The directors could make the institution self-supporting immediately if they dropped boys’ work, but they dared not adopt such a course. The work amongst boys was of such importance that it must bo continued. All branches of the work were being properly looked after, but in order to deal adequately' with the boys’ work they required some assistance. I The Deputy-Mayor 'Mr W. B. Taverner) I said ho was glad to be associated with the I movement. He could not help being im- ; pressed by the need of bringing up good citizens, and he knew of the excellent work the two associations wore doing in that respect. The Y.W.C.A. was working on an overdraft, which was an undesirable thing. He would like to say how much ho was impressed by the efficient manner in

which the Y.W.O.A. work was done. The £4OOO which it was desired to raise meant a contribution of about Is per head of the population of Dunedin and suburbs. The work of the two associations was looked upon with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction by the City Council, and that should stand them in good stead. Whether the City Council could assist them ho was not able to say. He had much pleasure in commending the movement to the citizens, and he hoped the associations would be able to congratulate themselves on the result of the effort. Mr Peter Barr said he was very pleased to be associated with the associations and to wish it every success. He thought both associations were worthy of all tile support the citizens could give, and he hoped that all the money that was desired would be raised. Mr E. H. Lough said he was present because he wished to support the movement as much as he possibly could. He would move that all those present should form themselves into an executive and do all they could to forward the appeal. The executive could have power to add to its number. The speaker announced that Mr H K. Wilkinson and another gentleman had promised to give £250 each on condition that two others would contribute a like amount Several smaller amounts had been promised. The motion was seconded by Mr I . K. Saro-ood, who said he had been associated with the finance of both institutions. He thought that excellent work was being done. . , . , Xho motion was earned unanimously. \ vote of thanks was accorded the Deputv-Mavor for the use of the Council Chambers and for associating himself with the movement in the hearty manner he had. ________________