Y.W.C.A.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16488, 2 March 1914, Page 9

Y.W.C.A.

CONFERENCE AT DIAMOND HARBOUR.

At tho .Y.W.C.A. Conference at Diamond Harbour the studies on China that had been taken by Miss Stillwell, general secretary of the Auckland Y.W.C.A., woro continued on Saturday by Miss Griffin, general secretary of Dunedin. The Y.W.C.A. began its work in China in 1903 in Shanghai, Miss Berninger being the first secretary. After spending a few months in a 'further study of the. language and in the investigation of conditions among students and mill girls, it was found that the managers of tnri cotton mills • were Englishmen. The, co-operation of these men was gained towards bringing the Y.W.C.A. ; and the girls together and tho first house for meetings was given by the Englishmen. They also fitted up a room foivjtnidday meetings in tho factory and daiferi on ’presented an organ. This was -tbe/liogifjriing of Y.W.C.A. ‘work in China. ‘There are many secretaries there ’now, and the accounts they gave ,6f the that prevailed everywhere" wire Anost interesting. Tho desire for education ainrtngst ,-Ji classes was pronounced. In forme days profession was practically an impossibility amongst Chinese young women, but many- girls prefer new to take up teaching or other appointments in preference* to - marriage. The barbarous custom of foot-binding was disappearing rapidly. ! Miss Brentfiall continued to interest her circle in the student work in which slio lias been engaged in Bengal. There were twelve Y.W.C.A. student branches in Calcqtta studying for degrees in universities, a degree being a necessary qualification for a Government position. It was difficult to get these students to volunteer for missionary work after finishing their course, as they were anxious to enter on more lucrative work. One excellent school in Northern India had had eight volunteers for mission work in the villages. Amongst the visitors to the Confeicnoe on Saturday were Mesdames Bnwron, Paton and Misses Clarke and Brocklebank.' Mr -Stewart also paid a visit. The Rev George Jupp led -his final study on “The Manhood of the Master.'”Greetings* to the delegation came through tho national secretary .from Miss Heard, national president for Australasia, from members in Australia and from Mrs A. P. Webster, president of the Wellington Young Women’s Christian Association.

.During the technical hour a discussion took place on club life, its field of opportunity and its organic relationship to the Association, and ..Miss Barnes gave some statistics as to the percentage- of wage-earning women to tlje rest of the community in the different countries of tho world. The events, -of the day culminated in a conference banquet. The tables were decorated with white daisies, red hawthorn berries and. scarlet geraniums and cards with watercolour sketches of Diamond Harbour painted by Miss Kate Lawson, of AVellington, indicated the seats to be occupied by the guests. Among those present were Mr and Mrs AValker, of Diamond Harbour. A full list of toasts was gone through, with Miss M’Lean, of Auckland, presiding as toast.mistress. After the health of “The King”, had been honoured, the health of “ Our General,” Miss Barnes, was proposed by Dr Maddison. Next came that of the Board of Directors, proposed by Miss Griffin, of Dunedin, and replied to by Mrs Kaye, of Christchurch. The health of Miss Brentnall, of Calcutta, was proposed by Mrs Herons, followed by the healths of the secretaries, proposed by Miss Bertinsliaw and replied to by Miss Ferguson, general secretary oi Invercargill. Various other toasts were drunk, including “ Diamond Harbour and its Hostelry.” Miss Barnes' described Diamond Harbour as “ the most ideal place ” for a conference that she had even known, both for its natural beauty arid isolation, also for the willing and efficient service rendered by the staff. In the evening, Mr Harries, of AA 7ellington, led the devotion meeting, emphasising the spirit in which all missionary work was accomplished.