GIRL CITIZENS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17147, 2 January 1930, Page 12

GIRL CITIZENS

Y.W.C.A. MOVEMENT CONFERENCE AT SUMNER Tho annual Dominion conference ot th 0 Girl Gitiy,en movement, ot the New Zealand Y.W.C.A. is now being held at Sumner. Those present are fortunate in having the use of the extensive grounds ana building of the School for Deaf. 3lie otiiccr m charge of the conference is Aliss Leila* Bridgman, the national girls’ work secretary, and associated with her are Aliss Ethel Law, the national general secretary; Aliss Hewlett, Christchurch general secretary, and Aliss llonayne, of tiie Wellington Y.W.C.A. stall', who is tho business secretary of the conference. Mrs. Skinner, of the Dunedin Y.W.C.A., is acting as hostess. The delegates are from various parts ot New Zealand, as follows: Whangurei 6 delegates, Auckland 23 delegates, New Plymouth 2 delegates, Wellington 2 delegates, Christchurch 15 delegates, Dunedin 19 delegates, Timaru 2 delegates, Palmerston North 2 delegates.

The central themo of the conference is contained in a series of studies entitled “Calling the Plan of tho Maker Out,” in which the girls will discuss what it means to have life to the full in

work and in play; to find tho joy of labor in craftsmanship' of all kinds. This idea is further exemplified by the various living groups in which the girls iiave divided themselves. The names they have chosen for the various groups being surveyors, architects, pathfinders, haymakers, and seekers. This carries on the basic idea of the study groups —tile joy of the craftsman in creative labor. This is to help the girls to have a means of expressing this desire of creating in their leisure hours if it has no means of expression in their daily work. The study groups meet outside under tho trees most informally. They are small in numbers, so that each girl will have freedom in expressing her ideas. There are two “interest groups,” one on chorio speaking, taken b v Miss C. Russell, and the other on eurythmics, taken by Aliss E. Russell. The girls are greatly enjoying these fascinating studies, and are very fortunate in having the services of the Misses Russell. Tho first day of the conference closed with the simple ceremonial in which the friendship lire was lit under the pines, symbolising the friendship which the girls have begun to find in the first day of the conference, and winch they hope to build into all their activities throughout their time together. List Sunday the large number of Girl Citizens, in their uniforms of white middy, navy blue tie, skirt and hat, made a very pleasing spectacle. They attended tho Christchurch Cathedral, and the very beautiful service there will bo something that will bo remembered by tho girls for a long time. In tho evening the girls took part in a service of worship. This was followed by a talk on "World Fellowship” by Miss Aioncrieff. Last Alonday before breakfast all the gills took part- in eurythmics, which took tho place of the more stereotyped physical exercises. Conference prayers were taken outside, and after these the girls gathered in their various l study groups for the continuation of their study : “Calling tho Plan of the Maker Out.” Tho latter part of the, morning was spent in the business of the Council hour. This council is the executive of the conference, and is conducted by the girls themselves, and chaired by the national chief counsellor. Each delegation of girls has one vote. All matters relating to their movement were freely discussed. The afternoon was spent in the work of the interest groups of j clioric. speaking and eurythmics, and in preparation for dramatics. The dramatics were for cup events, and the winning team was Auckland, which most successfully dramatised the finding of tho "Pearl of Great Price.” i The winners of tho cup events in the handwork competition for each community were announced: Auckland first, Dunedin second, and Whangnrei third.