FOR THE GIRLS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 3

FOR THE GIRLS

OBJECT OF ( THE CAMPAIGN.

The war was responsible for an abnormally large number .of girls and young women entering various departments of city work which was performed with an ability that surprised even the most conservative. The noise of battle has ceased; and tho problem of reconstruction has presented itself. The girls are with us; they must live, and to live they must work; and, further, as a social and national necessity they must bs cared for, counselled, and protoctcd, so that their labours shall bo enhanced in value to themselves and their employers. This is whare tho work of the Y.W.C.A. makes itself known, and it is one of the reasons why unstinted support should be given to the association's appeal to raise .£15,000 for tho following purposes :— Hostels (MacDonnld Crescent and Brougham Street), to complete the purchase of these buildings, £1000; additional hostel accommodation for forty girls, £1000; city club ,'for business girls), lunch room, reading and rest rooms, dressing rooms, class rooms in Boulcott Street, for furnishing and alterations ■£2000; gymnasium and social hall? to build at rear of Boulcott Street building, i'sooo.

,This is the beginning of the real extension work to meet the needs of all girls in our city for comradeship anddevelopment. The idea is to bo of service to all girls in tho city. ' Tho plan is wide in its scope, and does not entail compulsory, membership, except in certain departments. True patriotism of to-day demands that- we think in terms of tho whole community, not of ourselves. . >

The Wellington Association has 1102 members.. An average of 700 girls avail themselve's of tho clubs rest, and lunch rooms weekly. This number is frequently increased by special events. Por example, last winter between 200 and 300. over find above tho usual average, attended tho doctor's physiology and health talks, which wero from a racial standpoint. Surely, in a rich country like ours— a country that has enjoyed a long period of unprecedented prosperity—the people will not bo lacking in that quality of generosity which has marked similar appeals, but will give ready and expression of their appreciation of the Y.W.C.A.'s work by contributing substantially to tho appeal now being made.