Y.M.C.A. WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 2

Y.M.C.A. WORK

A NOTABLE SECRETARY Miss Gertrude Owen, genera! secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in Malaya, who was a recipient of an 0.8. E. in the New Year honours, has done amazing work in the East, and was immensely beloved by all sections of the people, which include Chinese, Tamils, Indians, Malays, Japanese and Eurasians. Her most difficult work, stated an ovemeas writer, lay among the Eurasians, and was greatly hindered by the very definite race bar in the East. Even one-sixteenth of colour or mixed colour was considered pukka M in the East. Miss Owen had done what was considered impossible, and had mixed these people into working groups of the Y.M.C.A. She had broken down social barriers, and ignored class distinctions which had previously made people so unkind and rude to one another. She was not only a good friend to the women, but fhe created such an atmosphere that they were a-ble to

make friends with one another. Miss Owen also did some splendid pioneering work for the Y.W.C.A. in New Zealand.