YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 4

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Young Womcu's Christian Association was held in tho hostel in Boulcott Street last evening. Dr. A K. Newiuau, M.P., presided, and associated with Kim on tho platform were tho Mayoress ■ (Mrs. J. P. Luke), Mrs. B Pearson, Mrs. M'Clay, and Hiss Laweon, secretary. Apologies for non-afc tendance were received ' from Mrs ; W• TV Massey, Miss M'Lean, Mrs, Gibbes, Mrs and Afiss Chapman, .and Miss Uobieson. ' In tho course of his remarks, Dr. Kewiiwn spoko of the now methods which were 'being carried out by the Y.W C.A. aud the Y.M.C.A., both organisations recognising that men and women had bodies as well as 6ouls to 1)9 looked after. Clubs, hostels, and circles of various kinds were excellent counter-attractions to the streets. To be successful we all bad to depend upon our own exertions, aud that fact had been recognised by v'hese two bodies. Dr .Newman expressed tlu opinion "that tho young women of the citiy had been veiy neglected until the Y.W.O.A. had begun its activities, and lie- thought that girls ought to do their share of work for the association, and not leave it altogether for the older womon to do, willing though the latter were There were girls who considered that when thoy left school there was nothing more for them to learn. Such a belief was. a very great mistake, . for there, was always something more to learn in life. They should always ttry to improve their minds, always take an interest in things of an educational nature. In his opinion women were, themselves somewhat to blame for ilhe fact .that they did not get belter billets and better pay i becauee they so often allowed their mmds to lio fallow instead of always trying to add t'o their knowledge. Mrs. Pearson road the balance-sheet, which showed for the year ended August 31 1920, expenditure amounting to dC9,)91 13s. 8d , ami income ilo,loo 17s. Bd., leaving a balance of income over expenditure of .i' 566 4«. Their assets amounted to £22 722 18s. • Por the Citizens' Appeal I'vaid receipts totalled J3537J6 15s. 9d. Mrs Pearson paid a very warm tribute to Miss Lawson, general secretary; whom she declared the pivot of their work in Wellington. , , lii moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, 'Airs. . M'Clay announced the facul that Her toe lency ViscounteSs Jellicoo had consented to bocome patroness of the association. Sho also expressed the very grout regret that was felt at the absenco from thorn uliat evening of the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, ■whose state of health had not pormwted lii-a to attend, also of Mrs ■ Adamson, tho recording secrdihry, who had left on a vsit to England, and Miss Birch, wiiom .thev greatly missed. Reference was'mado to tho loss the a.ssociation experienced in tho death of Mm. M'Eldowncy, one of tlio board members, and of Mrs: Bell, a member of the committee. She also paid a tribute lii) tho work of the voluntary helpers who had done ■so much in helping to carry on the work of the assoC Thtfjlayorcss seconded the motion, and also.emphasised the work that was dono by the voluntary workers, and spoke also in high terms of praise of what Mi=9 Law son had done for the nssocia ion She had placed before them a ver> high ideal of work for the good of their organisation. She considered tho association provided a great deal of comfort for gills, particularly in connection with the midday meals (apart from tho association s work in other directions), and m this connection a great deal of cipdit was dip to the voluntary workers. Iho adaption of the report and balance-sheet was '''iii-lhe "leotion of ofiicere that followed, Mrs. Corkhill and Mrs. Jolly wore reelected l'o the hoard of members and to the Board of Directors: Mesdames Bennie. Murdoch, Adams,• and lope. Votes of thanks were passed to tho Advisory Board tho lion, auditor,, hon solicitor, the various staffs, and many other helping fl From the meeting a resolution was oas'ed tb he forwarded to the Hon. J. G \V Aitken, expressing groat regret at his indisposition, and hoping that tho livmnier would bring him renewed health strength. Warmly appreciative references were made to tho great interess ho luxi always taken in the association mid the very practical help he had given it,