Y.M.C.A.'S VINDICATION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 151034, 28 July 1919, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.'S VINDICATION.

I LORD ASKWITH'S REPORT. ; Because of the recent criticism by the iiishop of Swansea, the report of Lord Askwith's Commission on V.M.C.A. finance and administration is of national interest and importance. ■ Associated wirh Lord-Askwith are Sir Richard Vasser-Smith and Mr F GoreBrowne, K.C. They are of opinion that any person-without special knowledge reading the' Bishop's letters would liner; — ■ r I'iiat the V.M.C.A. entered upon un-iß-'r and unreasonable competition with existing institutions on sectarian grounds. ■ That in such competition it misused the hinds entrusted to it. That it had made •unreasonah'v lar<>t, pront.s out of its trading. t That it .had not published « i'ull and ifiir balance-sheet, and did not luilv and inmkly disclose its financial position "m d P«bl«hing an appeal for new '• S h M (i o™mi l ss;°«ers are satisfied and !\ ? «? -V le b'^ance-sheet and accounts v,ere -full and frank," and that "the financial position was fully and frankly tbsdosed," and that the publicity g^ en to these matters was complete Ao case has been made tliat money subsenbed for war work has been expanded fo post-war purposes or in any respect othenv lS e than in accordance with the objects for which it was subscribed •nirf^FV* unj"stiliable competition and the abuse of funds provided by the benerolent" are not made out. * J.ne Commissioners statethat mn 1S no,S ro\ nd ior anticipating SLT ya übscrib«d in response to" wo?k IS I beinf T de for wa? nork ■Hill be used to make good dehciencies m the past. The V.M.C A is however, well justified in making 'an' peals for funds to carry on wSiout munity tho admirable work they haw gj^je war.-daneW tho beUr3 thlt hGthe LSY^^°A nd. f°r ?' 1S su SSe^ion u.nz me i.ii.C.A. has been guilty of unfair or unjustified competition with existing institutions. There is no evidence of the operation of sectarian motives.