“FINE SERVICE RECORD”

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1933, Page 9

“FINE SERVICE RECORD”

Y.W.C.A. CIVIC WELCOME. MISS J. STEVENSON HONOURED. A civic welcome was tendered Miss Jean Stevenson, national general secretary of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A., at the association’s New Plymouth hall last night, when the Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths) presided. There was a large attendance and apologies were received from representatives of many organisations who were prevented by circumstances from attending. In expressing pleasure at the representative attendance the Mayor said it was well known that Miss Stevenson had an outstanding record of service in the world-wide movement of the Y.W.C.A.— a movement which had stood the test of the searchlight of public opinion "for the last 77 years. In that time it had spread to all countries, and it was amazing what a power for good a body of young women in each centre could be. The Mayor then traced the history of the establishment at New Plymouth of the hostel and mentioned the training that had followed the formation of the branch of the Y.W.C.A. Women were the leaders of thought for the uplift of mankind, and the citizenship promoted by the Y.W.C.A. was a healthy power for good. Miss Stevenson’s work in the interests of the movement was well known. On behalf of the citizens ot New Plymouth he extended her a hearty welcome and wished her well in her work. HOME TRAINING FURTHERED. Mr. W. H. Skinner said the . work was being carried on at New Plymouth in a splendid manner under the lady president and her band of workers, but the visit of Miss Stevenson was undoubtedly an encouragement. To some extent the home training of previous years was being furthered by the Y.W.C.A., and there was a definite overseas opinion that in such movements lay the hope of the future. He hoped that Miss Stevenson’s visit would prove an instructive and pleasant one. Miss Andrews on behalf of the women’s organisations affiliated with the Women’s National Council welcomed Miss Stevenson and said she did so all the more sincerely because recently she had, as it were, seen Miss Stevenson in action. She was uncertain whether it was Miss Stevenson’s tabt or humour that impressed her most; her amazing imperturbability was a wonderful characteristic, and she could well imagine Miss Stevenson standing calm and cool in the midst of fire, famine and earthquake. “The stimulus of her personality will broaden the scope and influence of the Y.W.C.A.” said Miss Andrews. “We need stirring up intellectually. Much • has been heard of the mobilisation of credit but little of the mobilisation of knowledge. Over-production is often mentioned, and the fallacy of the cry lies in the fact that Sections of the people are in want. We know that it is the system of distribution that is at fault. Some people even talk of over-education, but the average person knows little more than the three R’s. Is there a fear that education might result in the cessation of exploitation of those classes of people that others consider below them? Causes must be sought and, by digging deeply, the Y.W.C.A. is doing its part. Faith in the power of the gospel of Christ and challenges to stagnation and somnolence have resulted in the growth of the movement. Service in the way of the mobilisation of wisdom and commonsense has resulted in the lightening of other folks’ burdens. All that is my own interpretation of the creed of the Y.W.C.A., but I believe it to be a fair one.” COMPREHENSIVE MOVEMENT. Mrs. P. C. Davie extended the welcome of the New Plymouth Y.W.C.A., It was considered that this was the first official visit of Miss Stevenson, although she had been in New Plymouth 11 months ago, she said. It was upon her first visit that she had advised that Miss Greenwell be appointed the general secretary at New Plymouth, and citizens were grateful to her for the excellence of the appointment.

Captain Chandler of the Salvation Army and representing the New Plymouth Ministers’ Association, said he and his colleagues were comforted to know that such an organisation as the Y.W.C.A. was working side by side with the ministers in the interests of the young people. He trusted that co-operation in the help of young people requiring protection and assistance would be evidenced on all sides. In reply Miss Stevenson said she had had welcomes before in town halls in northern Australia and in different parts of New Zealand, but she could not recall one of more warmth than that at New Plymouth. She came as the ambassador of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive young women’s movement in the world, and she realised that the welcome was a compliment to the movement rather than to herself. It also meant that the New Plymouth people conducting the Y.W.C.A. were known and " trusted.

The movement was the first attempt of women to band together in the interests of the girls of the community, continued Miss Stevenson. Church, social and later racial barriers had been waived as the result of the efforts of that first group of English women who felt that girls leaving sheltered homes should know the best of life. There had been changes in women s status, and the Y.W.C.A. had adapted itself to those conditions and grown still more. Since the war progress had been just as great, countries like Latvia, Czecho Slovakia and Roumania adopting the movement to permit their women the self-expression

they wanted. “It is a character building agency,” said Miss Stevenson after outlining its various functions and asking for support. Mrs. A. Alexander, president of the New Plymouth Y.W.C.A., moved votes of thanks to the Mayor and the representatives of organisations attending. She expressed the hope that sympathy and cooperation would be received, and thanked all speakers and artistes. During the evening items were, given by Misses V. Ross (violin solos) and. Avis Paul (songs). —