YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 4

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

The Y.M.C.A. has ever been in the forefront in time of national necessity or danger. When national or civic emergencies arise in problems relating to men it is to the association that the country looks to carry on those essential services within its province. When the Great War broke .out thousands of its secretaries the world over volunteered for service, and, with headquarters in London, its ramifications spread out over every quarter of the war areas. In . Palestine, Salonika, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, the Western front, Samoa, and everywhere there appeared the symbol of the association —the red triangle on tent and hut. Many a "digger” in those days learned the first meaning of the Y.M.C.A. and its work among men- Tributes from the leaders in naval and military .departments poured in. To towns and cities, at Home and abroad, camps and front line trenches, the association’s work for men was carried. In peace time it has been ever the same. Before this cruel depression played havoc with the industrial situation a red triangle hut appeared in every construction camp of note throughout New Zealand, and the Government showed its appreciation by subsidising the association for its work. In military camps under the territorial scheme, every camp had its Y.M.C.A. hut and secretary in charge to provide for the amusement and well-being of the men. In the great earthquake at Napier the services of the association were enlisted by the Government to undertake the work of locating missing people. Inquiry bureaus were'established in Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, and other areas. One day after the earthquake the Y.M.C.A. was. established and thousands of inquiries poured in from all over the world. - Over 2000 people were engaged in inquiry work and a big staff dealt with the inrush of telegrams and letters. To-day the Y.M.C.A, ig throwing its whole weight into the most grievous and worrying problem that has ever faced the Dominion—that of the unemployed boy. Every effort, every plan has been put forward that might Help to fill in the most disturbing feature of the problem—the idle moments of the growing boy. It is here that the'great danger, arises of what the reaction may be. It is into healthy channels that the Y.M.C.A. endeavours to lead its youth. The whole of its building has been thrown open during the day time to organised games. From Mondays to Saturdays properly instructed boxing and gymnasium classes are available free of charge to .unemployed boys. The Boys’ Department is open for all to spend their time in healthy games. The. whole of the staff is endeavouring to assist the boy in his problems. A large room has been made available for unemployed men, and is full every night of those desirous of reading, playing . cards, chess »or draughts, and social intercourse. The assembly hall is granted also for special functions. Apart from all these things the Y.M.C.A. is carrying on its work among young men and boys of the community.

There must be in every city some institution that deals with the problem of youth, and it is doubtful if there could be any other institution which could bid for the hearts and interests of young men as the Y.M.C.A., with its red triangle signifying spirit, mind, and body, championing sound religion, clean sport, clean speech, and clean living. To-day the institution needs funds to carry on its work among boys, as renovation work in its Boys’ Department is urgently needed to make the work fully efficient.