WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2805, 24 June 1916, Page 5

WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS

; Y.W.C.A.' PATRIOTISM.' A largely-attended meeting of tho directorate and members of the Y.W.C.A. was held in the association's rooms, in iowlds s Buildings on Thursday, the Hon;Aitken presiding. As the association have become property-owners upon a fairly considerable scale, they r!™ "become incorporated with tli'o lnendlysocieties, and in doing |So havo been obliged to alter their constitution, ins chairman, in explaining theso differences, referred to tlie new property in Bouleott Street (tho late -property of tho Mon. Dr. Collins), and of tho terms upon which it had. been acquired. In purchasing this piaco the association had undertaken to carry out a most truly patriotic work, for tho idea was to turn it into a hostel for 6oldiers : who wero in town from the camps, and who had nowhere to go while in town. To the soldiers who were away from ■ thoir-homes the Jiostel should prove a great boon. In connection with the it had been arranged that' it should be worked in conjunction with the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A., tho Hostel Committee to consist of three members of the A.M.C.A. executive, and three of the directorate of the Y.W.C.A. It had come to the Knowledge of the Y.M.C.A. that.soldiers iu from the camps on leave not. infrequently found it difficult to -get accommodation, and spent th<s night in walking the streets, or elso in trying to find .what shelter they could. On learning this fact, the directorate of the om ?n s Association," who were negotiating about the purchaso of this new pro.P.erty, decided to buy it, and hand, -it over to their. fellow association as.' a hostel for soldiers, during such time as the ,war. lasted. The one stimulation that was made, and it had to bi made from a legal point {if.view, as trustees would recognise, explained'"Mr..Aitken','.was that the Y.M.C.A.-should pay the working expenses, such as rent, etc.. In this way the Y.W.C.A. was doing a splendid work for tho Empire. honorary solicitor to the 1.W.U.A., read the new constitution, which, on the motion of.the chairman, and seconded by Mrs. M'Clay, was duly approved of and adopted. the various details and explanations which were given in connection with the alteration of the constitution and the Soldiers' Hostel, Miss Birch outlined the contests which are to be held nat connection with the Triennial Convention of the Y.M.C.A.. in October next. These contests are to by departments, clubs, and 'individuals, and will be inter-association. The National Board .will, appoint, judges for encli contest, : and -Willv. award tho prizes and honours, while.no award will be made unless .five associations at least enter for any specified contest./ As these contests are designed to exhibit the standards of work ;nmong. association members,' it- is necessary that, all work performed shall be planned and: carried out entirely, by members. They cover 'a> wide field including competitions' in." domestic arts ? lble a, ; i! mission, work,,"homo cookery, house planning, decoration, and designing, 1 , literary and' artistic. work «tc.» *tc. •

After, Miss Birch's explanation came the ceremony oi welcoming the new aisis tant secretary, Miss - William, 1 provided the entertainment of tL « 10 «fr. the following eSbutL to 'tt programme -.—Miss 3?yf e Mr ir Anderson Miss *£» hv S H, O ? Crn l id V 3®" Provided l>) .tlie Board of Directors. Among those, who were present was Pearson eD ' ° f tllD associa ' D ' Mrs- R.