YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17109, 2 April 1921, Page 9

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

to the Kturon of "the raws."

Sir,—A matter of importance, «'> w requiring redress, has como under my notice, and being » mother, I «ni alarmed to think that such practices are adopted in a'Christian association. On Wodnesdav 'ast tour working girls at the Y.W.C.A. wore toldni go in order to make room for newcomer*. , All these girls have no homes in Christdhureh and when thev ioincd, were not toi'l that thev would have to pet ever the Director thought tit. On enquiry, I find that no girl who pay* hoard' in any club or hostel in New /e.»-I.ir-.c! c-:m liojiut out unless for l»ad conduct. It would he well tor the authorities to note this when an action IS taken against them. However, the astonishing part is that whilo tho.** girw have been told to" go, other girU m the same. building, with longer term* of residence and receiving .nrgor weekly wages, have been allowed to remain. "When the position was put liefore tho Director, she expressed Mil prise, and said that she thought those girls who had been told to go were in receipt of higher wages than they actually were So, you see. these working girls worn told to go before careful enquiries hail lieen made. Years ago, when t'ho foundation stone, of the new building \vm laid, 1 was present, and rnthing was .said about, turning girls out after » stay in the Association to make room for newcomers. The main note struoK then was to hare a home built for gifl* awny from home. If the present building is too small, whv not add to it—not turn girls out to suffer? The moral result will be at t'he door* of tho Y.W.C.A! 1 mentioned th-* matter to one of onr local M.IVs, and ho will head any petition 1 caro to draw up.— Y'ours, etc., * A MOTH Git. [Chi making enquiries into the allegations m the above letter, n representative of "The Press" gathered that the position is that recently four hoarders at tho Y.W.O.A. were advised by the Director, Mis* Law, tdat it may ho necessary for them to look out'for other lodgings. as the Y.W.C.A. is primarily nhome for working girls coining to tho city as strangers., and a long residence at the institution i$ not» encouraged. Enquiries are not mado as to the salaries earned by hoarders, hut when the four girls * in question explained their position to the Director and stated # the amount of their weekly salaries, a report was referred to tho Houk* Committee, and it will rest with tho latter, after considering tho demands being nurtle on tho institution for accommodation, to decide if tho four girls aro not better ablo than some now seeking admission to tho Y.W.CJi. to secure suttabk homes elsewhere in tho city.—Ed. "The Press.]