“Y” PAGE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 405, 18 April 1929, Page 10

“Y” PAGE.

CONVENTION IMPRESSIONS

(By the Y. Male Delegate). After a week of ‘‘Mock Battles" at a Military Camp among the hills of Waianakarua. I arrived back in Ashburton with but an hour to change and catch the boat train. What a change after travelling in the troop irain there was, when, on entering a carriage, 1 was greet«*d by several White Hibboners. who were all surprised that I was to attend Convention and represent the Ashburton Y.P.C.T.U. While walking the deck on the ferry steamer I met several more delegates, and on the wharf in the morning they gathered to be sent away to various homes. In the rush, the one and only male delegate was .forgotten, and I strolled the wharf until someone remembered that I should have arrived, and my friend. Miss Bradshaw, came over from the group, and soon I was encircled by ladies. The Reception Meeting in the Concert Chamber was well-attended, and I was impressed by the speeches of welcome and the reply. During supper I was introduced to quite a number of delegate, including the “Y’s,” and by the time I left, it seemed as If I v-as due for the V.C.

Everyone seemed to think 1 was brave to be the first male delegate to attend Convention, and I began to wonder if I was entering a lion’s den instead of Convention. However, in the days following, it proved anything but a lion’s den. Prom the very first. I might say. I was regarded as a sort of novelty, and perhaps I was a rare bird at a “Hen Convention.” The first morning meeting brought more bravery honours upon me. and when the President railed the Convention to order. I sat with the Y. delegates, as the only man in a room full of ladies.

Most of the discussions were very interesting and instructive, while the Superintendents’ reports proved to be valuable information and an education in the workings of each department. The discussion on Headquarters was intensely interesting, and the reports from Band of Hope. L.T.L. and Y.P.C.T.U., showed some lapses, owing to lack of leaders. In our Y. Unions we must endeavoui to

train our members to be leaders, so that no lapse will occur. Probably the most important item when writing for the Y. Page, I suppose, would be the Y.P. Conference. which was held on Saturday morning. I was a little disappointed in the Y. delegates, rather not in th« delegates present, but the fact that there were not more Y. Unions represented. Somo of the older Unions might take a lesson from the thre*>w r eeks-old Levin branch, w r hich sent a delegate. If a Union so young can send a representative, surely the Unions could be represented.

However, seventeen gathered at Y.P. Conference on Saturday morning, including several ladies interested in Y. work. Miss McLny, our Organiser, presided. and after I had conducted the devotions, we got down to business. Each delegate in turn spoke, telling of difficulties and giving suggestions, which were very helpful to the other delegates, especially to those from newly-formed branches. Our Organiser gave very many helpful suggestions, and several important items were discussed, but were left over for further consideration. The Y’s led the devotions on Monday morning, and having received permission from the President, the Y.P. Conference w r as continued in another room during the morning session. It was fine to be in such a meeting as the Y.P. Conference, every delegate being keen on the welfare of the young people in New Zealand, and out to make suggestions to help other Unions, and to receive information to aid their own. During the morning some important items were discussed. On behalf of “Y’s men” of N.Z., I appeal-

ed for a separate badge, as we are constantly being asked the question: “Where did you find that White Ribbon?” However, my suggestion that it be “Y’s” iwise) was carried A sample badge was forwarded to mo recently, and I am sure every Y will be proud to wear one To change the badge is a big v< nture, and the delegates wiio are responsible for this forward more hope that each Union will back them up and endeavour to sell as many badg s as possible. The slogan. “Each for the other Y’g (wise)” is a good one, and wo hope each Y Branch will get a banner made and have this slogan engraved on It. The Y Delegates wen In favour cf the Headquarters, therefore, each Branch should do its part in helping in the “Signature Quilts” which is the Dominion Y’s effort. Havinu been through the experience of attending the Women’s Chr*stian Temperance Union Convention. I was determined to make it easier for young men delegates from V Unions to attend in the future. My suggestion that the words, “and

Y I*. Conference,” be added to the name ‘‘W.C.T.U. Convention” was received kindly, and carried. I was a l/.ttle surprised that the Convention should carry a suggestion from me, even to the changing of its name. Therefore, young men delegates in future will not have to attend a Woman's Convention, and be asked embarrasing questions from other people, but will be able to say they are attending the Y.P. Conference in connection with the WC.T.U. Convention. Unfortunately I had to leave early, missing one and a-half days of Convention. hut with me I brought an honour for the Ashburton Y’s—the Membership Banner and also the Membership Campaign Badge. Not only did I bring these material things, but also sweet memories of the Convention and the number of friends made during my brief stay. However. I returned with more determination to toil on in the work, and endeavour to remove the stumbling block out of the way of our weaker brethien and sisters.

Through Convention I feel I know more about the inside working of the Unions as a whole and I was strengthened to go forward. Next year I hope every Branch will send a representative to the Conv mtion at Tlmaru, if not to the whole Convention, to the one-day Y.P. Conference. This year Dunedin and Ashburton represented the South Island as they were the only Y Branches f nding delegates. Every Branch in the South Island should be able to he represented next year and also all of the North Island Unions should endeavour to send a delegate. We must ihow we are a live Department—if not the liveliest of the W.C.T.U. Next Convention I hope to visit, if I do not attend as a delegate, and hone to meet old friends and a ciow’d more Y’s, including our men. FRANK H. E. SILCOCK. Sec Ashburton Y.P.C.T.U.