ANXIOUS YEARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1921, Page 4

ANXIOUS YEARS.

FOR ..WELFARE BODIES. WELLINGTON, DccemUer 2. “The years that followed the war have been anxious ones for us, as well as for other public institutions, said Mr .James May, the general secretary of tlie Y.M.C.A., to a “New Zealand Times” reporter. ‘'While money was. up to the dose of the last financial ( year, plentiful, costs were high, and the general experience of wcllare organisations lias been to feel the strain of til latter, without the corresponding relief from the former of increased contributions.”

•‘.lust about fifty pounds belter off than Hie previous year,” was the secretary’s verdict, when asked to judge the relative position oi the ‘A.M.’ al the end of its year, "Inch leriiiiuates in September. Tlie association's spin re of usfulness was not exclusively confined to its yinc hundred financial members, as it prescribed no hard and Inst rule as to who should use the association’s buildings. Service to the hoys and young men of the country was the primary object in view, and any opportunity in thud direction was welcomed.

Air Hay traversed the material advance pf' the association during Hie year just closed. Accommodation was provided for 175 boys and men in the period, and the acquisition of “Donliiink” had been fully justiged, as practically the whole of the residents there were lads under seventeen, who were away from the salutary influence of home. The younger the man and the smaller 1 iis salary, the bigger the room and the more cordial the invitation was the slogan of ‘‘Doiibank’ which was now self-supporting. A VITAL PRINCIPLE. Fundamentally Christian in its atmosphere and functions, the association still aimed at upholding thin vital principle. While Restating to label any section of the work as icligions, Mr Hay said all of it reflected the spirit of Christ; the more positive aspect of it had been the maintenance of the residents' voluntary service on Sunday, the Billie study groups, men’s Sunday meetings, and the strangers’ tens, in which a large number of men not reached by the chinches were brought in touch "ifli tlie Gospel. A pleasing feature of the foreign work was the popularity of the Saturday night ralliejs, from which £BB was gaifneiVil last year for the assoeiatioii’s work ill file native state of Hyderabad, India.

The growing importance of improving the physique of the counliy’s youth was enhanced by tlie expert instruct ion provided dining the year. Not. only was development, noticed in the boys’, girls’, men's and women’s classes, but also in the class for business men. ’I he association had thus been able to get its healing linger on the pulse ol the citv, and make a direct contribution to tile health of commciviai men. I lie attendances at the physical nulture classes grew by over titty per cent during the year and an expansive progress was apparent ill the outdoor sporting sphere of the association.

THE HOUR OF DANGER. “Tlie leisure hours of a bov or young man are the hours of ii is greatest danger, from character-forming point of view,” said Air May. “To occupy these periods with a constructive, healthy social programme lias been our aim. We employ in this connection the cinema. the social entertainment, the koreo, and every known indoor game, to counter the attractions of the night life of the city.” After reviewing the association's community, the ladies’ auxiliaries, the hoys’ division. the scout troop, the lunch hour club, and others of the assoeutions multitudinous activities in the social sphere, A’lr Hav said every objective sighted during the year had been reached, and those responsible for its administration were not unmindful of tlie last message of Sir George A\ illiams, its founder: “Alv last legacy, and it is a precious one, is the Young Men’s Christian Association. I leave it to you beloved young men of many countries tn carry it on.”