THE Y.M.C.A.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 52

THE Y.M.C.A.

NATIONAL CONVENTION. VALUABLE WORK IN CAMPS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 28. -the eighth National Convention of the Y.M.C.A. of New Zealand was opened here to-day, a welcome to the. 40 delegates from all parts of the Dominion being extended by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), Bishop Campbell West-Watson" the Rev. D. Gardiner Miller (president of the Ministers’ Association), and Mr A F. Carey, representing the Christchurch Association. The president of the National Council (Mr. H. K. Wilkinson) presided at the convention. In his address, the President referred to the association’s increased work amongst boys, the number of boys’ clubs having increased from 152 to 173. The -work in the camps had also increased, there being 878 boys in camp during the summer period. He made special men tion of the presence of the Y.M.C.A. in the Borstal Institute camp. This was a step in the further close co-operation between the Y.M.CA. and the various reformative committees of the Government. He emphasised the value of the co-operation between the Y.M.C.A. and the parents, which was- a very valuable feature of the work. The association’s work generally was better understood by the public, and never before had there been so much sympathy shown and appreciation expressed of the association’s influence in the community. The Chairman of the National Industrial Committee (Mr C. S. Falconer) stated that the association was definitely making a contribution to the lives of the industrial workers, and that the president of the New Zealand Workers’ Union whole-heartedly supported the Y.MG.A. work in the industrial camps. Mr Chappell, military secretary at Trentham, outlined the work of the military department; and referred to the many avenues of service performed by the military secretaries. _ In answer to a question whether the military, camps had a bad effect on the lives of the young men and boys, who went into them, Mr Chappell emphasised the point that the boys were in camp only seven days out of 365, and that if they did break down in morale or conduct it was very largely due to the lack of home influence during the remaining days of the year. This statement was endorsed by several ether speakers.