Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 8

Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE

EMPLOYED OFFICERS MEET. A conference of employed officers of tho Y.M.C.A. throughout New Zealand was held yesterday. There were some thirty men present, and Mr. E. J. F. King, of Hastings, was appointed chairman. At the first session secretaries presented reports' on the past year's work in' the associations at Auckland, Cambridge, Wanganui, llasterton, Wellington, Christchurcli, Dunedin, InvercaTgill, Milton, and Hastings. Similor summary reports of the association's work in Trentham, Featherston, Papawai, Tauherenikau, Awapuni, and Narrow Neck camps were submitted by tho field socTetaries in chargo. The statements were of an. optimistic and most satisfactory nature, and indicated great expansion of the association's work in many contre3 and in varied directions. At the afternoon session the national secretary, Mr. E. C. Brownell, reported on the work of the association on troopships and at tho front, quoting a number of striking testimonials from officers and men. Tho greater part of the afternoon was taken up in hearing Mr. Varney, the association's commisioner, just returned. from England and France, and questioning him on matters affccting 'the co-ordination of the work of tho asociation here and in the Homeland,; imd with their organisations. The handling of parcels and of cable inquiries was disoussed at some length, and it was resolved 'to ask the National Committee to take up tho matter of cable inquiries and if possible to make 'this a special branch of the association's London work, and to instruct secretaries accordingly. The National Committee was further requested to issue a handbook for , the guidance of secretaries anaworing questions they were frequently asked about means of communication with men at the front. Much consideration was given to the returned soldiers, and it was decided to ask the National Committee to the appointment of returned soldiers as jecretaries in various centres to specialise in work for returned men.

The proposal to jrrant free membership to all returned soldiers, possibly for a year after the close of the war, met with a most favourable Teception.' . It was'decided to .ask tho National Committee to call a conference of physical directors to be held in Wellington at'ap' early Writer " Mr. W. .T. Mains opened the evening session of tho conference by delivering a paper on "The Objectivo in tho Association's Religions Work." Speaking of the. responsiveness of men at the present time to religious appeals, he claimed that never luad pich. Jan opportunity 'been presented to tho Christian Church mid never would such an opportunity for .spiritual work come again. A keen discussion followed on methods of evangelistic work, and Mr. Yarnoy stated that from 100,000 to 250,000 soldiers at the 'froilt had-signed the "War Roll," pledging' themselves to begin the Christian life. To bind these together in mutnal companionship the White Comrade Brotherhood had been formed, with Mrs. Mylrea, of Sling Camp, as presidont, and ho advocated the establishment of this brotherhood in tho camps here. Another subject that gave riso to profitable discussion, before tho close of the conference at 10 p.m. was boys' work.