Y.W.C.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17783, 1 March 1926, Page 9

Y.W.C.A.

DOMINION CONVENTION OPENS. The first Dominion Convention of the Y.W.C.A. opened on Wednesday morning at Warrington, Dunedin. A letter was read from Lady Alice Fergusson, patroness of the Association. and a c able from the AA’orkl’s Committee, in London, wishing all success to this first Dominion Convention of the Y.W.C.A. Greetings were also received from Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide. Auckland, Christchurch, Gisborne and the National Y.W.C.A. of Australia. The main business of the morning was the discussion of the constitution of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A., the most important matter to be dealt with by' this convention. At 4 p.m. the delegates were addressed by Dr Alarion Whyte, of Dunedin, who spoke on "The Place of Health and Recreation in a Girl’s Development.” In a most interesting address She held up before members the ideal they should hold up before the girls, a vigorous, vital womanhood, full of the joy of living, the joy of serving their fellow-creatures, the joy of glorifying God. Health of body did not necessarily* imply health of mind and soul, but it made such spiritual mental health more possible. Proper care of the health of a girl in her adolescent years would make her fit to stand the strain of adult life without breaking down. She stressed the need of a diet of more fruit, vegetables, butter and cheese, yet the cost of these commodities kept a sufficient quantity of them out of most homes. This point gave rise to considerable discussion, and was further dealt with by Miss Dunlop (general secretary, Wellington Y.W.C.A.) who spoke on the practical health programme of the association. Wellington, she said, had lately opened a health school in the association under a committee of the medical and nursing professions, where girls under skilled physical directors receive a training specially' suited for them.