YOUTH WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 196, Issue 22547, 4 January 1945, Page 4

YOUTH WORK

METHODIST CONVENTION WELLINGTON, Thursday The annual convention of the Methodist youth department, attended by 51 delegates from districts as widely separated as North Auckland and Otago, was held at the War Workers’ Hostel, Wcburn, concluding on Monday afternoon. The activities of the whole of the youth work of the Methodist Church came under review r.nd plans for the coming year, which, subject to the approval of the church conference, will be a special youth year, were discussed. The chairman of the youth board, the Rev. W. Burley, presided, and the three youth directors, the Revs. C. T. Symons and M. A. McDowell, and Mr A. E. Bate, were present. • Addresses on work among Maoris were given by two deaconesses. Sisters Violet Kruse and Dorothy Pointon. It was reported that in 1896 there were 42,000 Maoris in the country, and today there were approximately 93,000. Over 50 per cent of these were under 21, presenting a tremendous opportunity for the Church. The acquisition of permanent camp sites for Easter camps and winter and summer schools is being considered by the youth department. Mr J. Pryor, Christchurch, and Miss F. A. Nixon, Dunedin, were nominated as president and vicepresident of the next convention.