THE Y.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2466, 2 April 1909, Page 5

THE Y.M.C.A. MOVEMENT.

THE GISBORNE ASSOCIATION. 313 NEW MEMBERS. _ The Young Men’s Christian Association members’ rally in Whin ray’s Hall last evening was a great success, nearly 300 members being present to hear the president’s announcement of the result of the Red and Blue campaign just concluded. A long toast list was gone through, and an exceedingly pleasant time was spent by all present. The President (Mr. F. S. Malcolm) stated that it was only a function for members, another one was going to be given to the citizens on Monday night for the. interest and assistance they had shown in and given to the Association. The citizens had been very kind to them, with the. result that they were financially strong. They also had a splendid secretary. (Applause.) After the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas had said grace, the-chairman said he had much pleasure in proposing the health of His Majesty King Edward VII. The toast was drunk with loyal musical honors.

Mr. J. R.Kh'k proposed “The Army, Navy, and Volunteers.” He said it gave him great pleasure to propose the toast. In looking back, he saw the thin red line of Balaklava and the squares in their ragged regimentals at Waterloo, while to-day they had one of the greatest armies, which demanded their support. Combined with the Army was the Navy. New. Zealand had led the way in the present naval crisis in offering a Dreadnought, and to-dav New Zealand was in the mouth of the whole world for the splendid offer ‘she had made/ (Applause.) He was sorry to say the volunteers wore not backed up and given the assistance that they should get, and he was sure-that, now they had the Y.M.C.A. backed up by such men as Lord Roberts and Lieut.Colonel Porter, C. 8., who was with them, they were going to show the people that if volunteering was a good thing it was going to be a good thing for the Young Men’s Christian Association. It was to the volunteers they would have to look if necessity arose, and although there was no form of conscription in New Zealand at the present time, he thought some modified form should exist.

Lieut.-Colonel Porter, C. 8., responded to the toast. He had, he said, served in all three branches mentioned, but would have to say. that the Navy took precedence of the Army. The British Navy had stood for the last 100 years in supremacy of the seas—(applause)—and as long as Britain kept the supremacy of the seas they could never bo conquered by any country. Regarding volunteering, he thought all young men should have some military training. If the time should arrive when they were needed to defend their homes they would be of no use without a knowledge of military tactics.* He thought that each district should be divided up for military training, and everyone should acquire military knowledge. The Chairman, on rising to make his announcement of the result of the membership rally, was received with great applause-.- The total membership was, he said, 313, and the Reds were 25 behind; the Blues having secured 169 to the 144 of the Reds. The announcement of. the result was greeted with loud cheering, and in compliance with a compact entered into between the Reds and the Bines the defeated captain and his lieutenants mounted the stage, and to the skir] of the bagpipes, proceeded to eat their porridge. Continuing the toast list, Mr. J. Townley proposed the “Gisborne Young Men’s Christian Association.” The Y.M.C.A. was, he said, on a very broad foundation, in which each member would he assisted and be able to enjoy the society of all the other members. A Young Men’s Christian Association formed on these lines was one of the noblest institutions which they could have amongst them. He had pleasure in proposing the. toast of success to the Y.M.C.A., and expressed the heartiest goodwill to the movement. Ho said that, being, the only non-member present, lie would drink the toast himself. The President, in replying, thanked Mr. Townley for his good wishes to the Association. Ho was sorry Mr. Townley had been in a position to propose the toast, and would have liked him to have been a member, but that would come later. In thanking Mr. Townley for the success lie had wished them, he said lie was sure they were not going to stop. The rooms thev had were capable of accommodating between 4* and 600 persons, but they would soon need larger quarters. In proposing the “Press.” Mr. J. G. E. Kissling said the. Press had greatly helped the Association by the publicity given to their work. The Gisborne Press, lie thought, compared very favorably with that of the larger cities, and always stood up for any progressive movement. _ „ , Messrs C. Perry and T. Clarkson briefly responded. The next toast on the list, The Blues,” was proposed by Mr. H. Adair, a lieutenant of the Reds. It gave lum great pleasure, he said, to propose the health'of the Blues. The principal reason was that they had put up a good fight. Another reason was that Mr. Dawson and Mr. J. Peach had taken an active part in the spiritual work ot the Y.M.C.A. during tlio past five or six years, and ho was proud to propose the 'health of young men who were not ashamed to take up the spiritual voile of the Association. The movement was a good thing for the young men of the town, and, although the two .sides weie strong when separate, there would be nothing to withstand them when they were joined together. Mr. Dawson briefly responded. He said they bad bad to work bard to win -the contest, and the knowledge that they had a strong force to fight against had made them doubly keen. He thanked the Reds for the way they had responded to the toast of the llhios. In proposing the Rods. Mr. C. Rosie said that had the“ Rod” captain not been so energetic the Blues would not have made such an effort. Notv lthstanding the fact that Mr. Ennor was leaving Gisborne, lu> had put* his whole heart into the work, and the success or tlie movement was largely due to ms efforts. He (Mr. Rosie) was sure they would hear of the movement m Napier "oing ahead when Air. Ennor got theie. Mr Ennor. in response, said that although beaten, the Rods had done their host. They knew from the start that they would have a hard tight, hut though they were beaten they took a lot of credit to themselves. They had ■done much better than they thought 'they would, and. being beaten, had taken their gruel like men. I they <iid hot have the quantity they had the -quality, as lie had noticed that the greater portion of the toast list had been proposed by the lle.ds. ■ : The last toast on the list, that of the '“Ladies.” was proposed l>v ATr. T. E. Toneycli ffe, who eulogised the good qualities and work of the lad es thiough-

out the world. They were, he said, always associated with' any forward movement. Air. Pine Tamahori briefly responded. During the evening, Air. Alalcolm called on the secretary to say a few words. They had a good secretary, lie said, but owing to his rtf t feeling well he had not made any speech, but be was sure Air. Webster would say something before they went. Air. Webster said he had to thank those who had helped him. They had a big work before them ; and there must be no standing still. He could predict that the day would come when the •Y.M.C.A. would be the leading institution in the town. They wanted to 'build up a big brotherhood in the town, and would need the assistance of > all ’interested. A musical programme was given between the toasts, items being given by Alessrs Rhinesniith, Kissling. Brownlee, Bloore, and Wilkinson, accompanied by Air. Hatfield at the pianoforte. Before the meeting dispersed,' fhe Rev. L. Dawson Thomas called on the members to drink the health of the President ,which was done «'th much enthusiasm.