Y.W.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 3

Y.W.C.A.

A PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTION ; ■X , ANNUAL MEETING ■• The annual meeting of the Y.W.C.A. was held in tho Association Buildings last evening, the chair being taken by the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken. Associated with him upon the platform wero tho president, Mrs. E...Pearson, the Mayoress (Mrs. PL -P. Luke), Miss Birch, and Mrs. M'Clay- \The annual report was as fol\lows:— '■■' . . i [

"We- regret to report the resignation of Mrs., Keith from our board, or directors. Mrs.' Eeith was one of the pioneer workers of the' Wellington association, and her devoted services from its inception Will always be held in honour. Except for the removal of the name of Mrs. Uvans, M.A., the personnel of tho board temains unchanged.

"The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken resigned from the chair of the Finance Committee, and Mr. E. Pearson was appointed to this office. Mrs. J.- Hislop was appointed secretary to this committee. Mrs. Kowley, secretary to the Membership Committee; to worjr in conjunction with Miss Tingey. Mrs. Adams was appointed chairwoman of the Cafeteria Committee, and Mrs. Porter its secretary. Miss Eobieson succeeded Miss Massey as hostel secretary. ■ ' "It is interesting to note the diversity of occupations that- are found on our roll of 1020 women and girls, which comprise the total membership of the association. ", Besides those found-in'their own homes, the following occupations are well represented:—Typistes and clerks, domestic workers, telephone operators, needlewomen, dressmakers, t workers- in factories and shops, milliners, social workers and teaohers, besides technical and commercial scholars. The association brings jnung women of nil occupations together for one object and another, and a happy spirit of .friendliness prevails. :

. "Hundreds of girls and young women Use the association buildings, during tho week. Membership is necessary for continuous use of the buildings, but the nssooiation has an open door of friendliness for all girls, Yffi see a group meeting to rehearse for a foreign pageant or patriotic concert, and these groups, • enlarged by special .helpers, who act as Ushers, '.musicians, and helpers behind the scenes, until they merge into (the larger"group of friends and the , outside public, who make up the good audiences. We.see other gatherings of young women assembled to "hear. lectures. Smaller groups come for Bible and literary study circles and olasses; and again larger groups for our Sunday services, devotional meetings, strangers' teas, and clubs. Then there is a constant stream of girls making'their temporary home at our hostels, a daily proceesion mounting our stairs at- midday tor rest and refreshment. , On Saturday nights young, men join our membera for rhymio games and music. All the women who share our work on committees and those who.sustain us Vy their subscriptions appear on the scene at intervals with their help end good wishes. At monthly tfo parties our members are welcomed. There v/as one gathering for sustaining members, when our patroness, the Countess .of Liverpool, came with her good wishes, nnd there were also present Mrs. Maseey,.the wife of the Prime Minister, and !Mrs. Luke, the Mayoress, who is one of cur vice-presidents! : ; "The division of the Membership Commitee'into two sections hns afforded relief and strengthened the work. There has been a steady growth throughout the year.'" . ■ , . '

In moving the adoption of the report ond balance-sheet the chairman congratulated the officers of the association upon the splendid report' of the work that had been accomplished during the year just ended. It was splendid not only because of/the successful'state of the finances

which it disclosed, but splendid also from tho intrinsic value of Iho work for girls 'and young women. He considered that it displayed a great deal of administrative ability, and the fact that Hie management consisted of voluntary workers added to the excellence of what had been accomplished. No business institution that he knew,of had been managed with greater administrative ability, or showed the exercise of greater tact, greater care, or greater management than this' institution. He considered that very few showed so good a balance-sheet. It was difficult to realise that 'there woro 1000 members'or more belonging to' tho association, and that these members wero cured for from the spiritual as-well as from .the material point of view. Ho considered that the people outside the association should be ninde more acguainted with the work that was done inside the institution, Mrs. Pearson also made a few remarks in seconding the adoption of);the report and balance-sheet, outlining some of (ho activities that .were carried out by the Y.W.C.A., and indicating tho scope. of its work. She considered that, girls should cultivate their brains as much as possible ,and make the most of their "abilities, because tho men who were coming back would not be the same fit men that they were when they went away, an'd they would need the support of the women. They had spent their strength so that the'latter might retain theirs, and it was for the women to repay- that debt now. Women strong in mind and body were needed to carry on the work of the world, and they should lose no opportunity to fit themselves for the work that lay in front of them. Mrs. M'Clay also made a brief speech, and Mrs. Luke, too, was called upon to speak.' She congratulated the Board of Management upon the successful work they had accomplished, and also made a few special remarks to "the girls present. The report and balance-sheet were ;adopted. ■ ■ . ,:'. i The of ts appointed for the coming year arc < follow:—presidents, Mrs. B. Pearson ami Miss M'Le'an; vice-presidents, Mrs. Keith,' Mrs. J. P .Luke, Mrs. G. W. Shirtcliffe, Mrs. A. Hoby, and .Mrs. M'Clay; recording secretary, Mrs. Adamson; hon. treasurer, Miss Lawson. The following retiring members of the board of directors were re-elected: Mrs. A. Hoby, Mies Lawson, Miss M'Le'an, M.A., Mrs. C. D. Morpeth, Mrs. W. H. George, Miss Tingey. In addition there are the following members of the board: Mesdames Adamson, D. 0. M'.Clay,- W. Campbell, H.W.Kersley, E< Pea'rson, G. W. Shirtcliffe, J. Bennie, J. P. Luke, B. C. Adams, J. M. Murdoch, and M'Eldowney. The committee comprised the . following members:—Mesdames J. Hanan,,Porter, Taylor, B. A. Glasson, K S. Pope, Herciis, R. Pearson, M'Clay,. Hoby, Evans, M.1,, Benriie, idame, Morpeth, IV. F. Maseey, Adamson, Hislop, Good, Tingey, Bowloy, the Hon. J.-G. W. Aitken, Mr. C. Falconer, Mr. W. W. Greig, Miss Wallace Miss Kobieson, ; Miss Hunt, M.A., Dr. Platts-Mille; special girls' secretary, Miss Kershaw; association secretary, Miss Fair; general secretary, Miss Birch; hostel staff, Miss.Koughton, Miss'Farqjihar; club attendant, Mies D. Bryant; hon. solicitor, Mr. E.'H. Webb; hon. auditor, Mr.C.D. Morpeth; adyisory board, Hon. J G.MV.' Aitken, M.L.C., Messrs. A. Hoby, W. H. Bennett, B. Pearson, W. A. Allan, E. A. Wright, M.P.'