Y.M.C.A. CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1627, 19 December 1912, Page 9

Y.M.C.A. CONVENTION.

'ARRANGEMENTS FOB SUMNEE MEETING. According to the programme issued today the Young Mon's Christian Association of New Zealand will hold their first convention under the direction of their own National Committee at Sumner, near Christchurch, January 2-6. The fifty delegates already enrolled inohide representatives from the ton branches of the Y.M.C.A. in the Dominion, and are drawn for tho most part from the business men composing tho boards of directors. It is the intention of the leaders in the movement to place tho important auestiona affecting the future organisation and policy of the association before experienced men, and to further this nlan the first day of the convention will be devoted to the meetings of the six special committees-, on model constitution, national work, administration, etc. Tho Wellington branch will bo represented by seven delegates. Professor Picken, of Victoria College, will preside at the earlier sessions, and Mr. H. W. Kersley at the closing sessions of the convention. Mr. A. Varney, the newly-elected general secretary, will speak on The Place of the Y.M.C.A. in the Educational Scheme."

A pleasant feature will be the presence of Mr. E. E. Peacock, national chairman for Australia and New Zealand, who has come from Melbourne in time for this convention. On his visit several months apro he was associated with the inception of the present effort to bring the independent branches of the Y.M.C.A. into the closer and more efficient form of organisation. At that time the different branches united in 'appointing a national executivo composed of Professor D. K. Picken, chairman,' Mr. C. E. Smith, vice-chair-man, Mr. C. W.Hemery, hon. secretary; Mr. J. C. Port, treasurer! and Messrs. J. G. W. Aitkenand H. W. Kerslej. of this .citr, and Mr. W. T. Williams of Te Aute. This committee engaged as its organising secretary Mr. Alexander Jameson, for five years, associated with the local and national work in Australia. He has recently returned from a successful trip of four months' duration, during which he conducted building fund campaigns at Auckland and Wangnnui, mem"bership campaigns in Dunedin and Invercargill, and general organising work at Hastings and other points. Tho younger men of the association have not been forgotten in the arrangements for the forthcoming convention. A large holiday camp has been established at Sumner for their benefit. There they will be able to combine attendance at the various sessions with the pleasures of a seaside outing.

Fraternal relations will be cultivated by an exchange of visits between the conference of the Students' Christian Union at Rangiora and the convention of the Y.M.C.A. at Sumner. Mr. Jameson will deliver an address at Itaiisriora and delegations from tho S.C.TT. will bo present at two of the sessions of the convention.