Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9213, 4 November 1908, Page 6

V.M.C.A.

NATIONAL CONVENTION IN

MELBOURNE,

Mr R. Burgess, General Secretary of theMasterton V.M.0.A., has recently returned from Melbourne, lie attended, as delegate from the Masterton Association, the Y.M.O.A. NationalOonvention. He speaka hichly of the good accomplished during the session, when matters of paramount importance to young men and the consolidation of the Y.M.O.A. were carefully discussed and given very earnest consideration. As a rosuit of his visit, Mr Burgess has returned with informatiou that is hound to prove beneficial in the upbuilding of the cause in Masterton. The National Oommitteo, it may be explained, is a body of twenty-one Ohrisfciau laymen, chosen by the Y.M.O.A.'s of Australia and New Zealand at their biennial conventions to act as their agent in extending the benefits of the Association among all classes and conditions of young men and boys throughout the field. The Committee elects its own chairman, vice-chairman.secretary and treasurer, and has its office in the Equitable Building, Melbourne, from which its work is conducted by au efficient executive. Among the efforts of the Committee are those of organising new Associations iv cities and groups of small towns, conducting conferences and conventions, suggesting advanced policies and better methuds of work, securiug secretaries for Associations which need them, and conducting classes from time to time for the training of secretaries; giving expert supervision in building matters; safeguarding young mon leaving home through its system of corresponding members; uniting Associations in their progressive Christian work; and securing the visitation of Association experts of world-wide experieu3e. thus keeping the Associations abreast of the latest developments and methods of work. Organised work is promoted iv fifteen cities, lour towns and one group of country towns. Seven buildings are owned and occupied by V.M.C. A.'s, six are in process of construction, and one building movement is now being completed. The members number 10,-300 young men and boys. A new departure has been entered on in country organisation, bringing the benefits of the Association to young men in villages and on farms, and further extensiou in this direction is auticipated. The National Convention, which was the first in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association in Australasia, was heUl in Melbourne from the 14fch to 18th of last month. It consisted of delegates from all over Australia and New Zealand.- Mr Bragg, of Melbourne, occupied the chair, and Senator Vardou, of Adelaide, was vice-chairman. Mr Tribe, General Secretary of Ballarat, was recording secretary. The special features of the Convention were its discussions on boys' work, country work, aud foreign field work, also the particular relation of the V.M.C.A. to the Churches. Inspirational addresses were given by Rev. Graham H. Balfour, M.A., 8.D., of St. Kilda; Rev. W. Jeffries, of Adelaide; Key. J. Walker, M.A., of Ballarat; Right Rev. Dr Mercer. Bishop of Tasmania; Mr J. J. Virgo, of Sydney; and Mr H. N. Holmes, of Wellington. Mr W. Gillanders opened aud closed the Convention with addresses on "The Underlying Purpose of the Couveutiou" and "The Responsibilities of the Convention." In its special work among boys, it was decided to secure the boy of from twelve to eighteen years of age, and endeavour to build up the character on right lines, thus giving the boy a right aspect of life. Only within the last ten years have the American Associations realised the importance of the movement, but the work inaugurated during that period has been enormous aud encouraging. The reports of the enterprise in Australia and New Zealand form one of the brightest features of the work. In - relation to the country work, New Zealand is the first to advance. Centres are being formed at Hamilton and Masterton, and at the latter place a special endeavour is being made in the interests of the Maori race.

Foreign work received considerable discussion, and, after earnest consideration, it was decided to start a Student Work Movement in India, where all necessary support would be given to keep a secretary and help on the enterprise. The relation of the V.M.C.A. to the Churches received prominence, and the aims of the Association were set forth clearly. The position the Y.M.O.A. takes is not as a substitute or a rival, nor yet as an organisation outside the Churches. To show this more clearly, only those who are members of the respective Churches have power to exercise a vote in the government of the work, thus emphasising that the V.M.C.A. is the right arm of the Churches to help the young men. The Convention recorded its hearty appreciation of the splendid work done by the.National Committee, whose executive officer, Mr W. Gillanders, 8.A., is a New Zealauder.

The next Conference will be held in Wellington in 1910.