THE V.M.C.A, MOVEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 15

THE V.M.C.A, MOVEMENT.

MR LYMAN PIERCES REVIEW.

.Mr Lyman L. Pierce,, has -issued his final report to the National Committee and friends of the* .Young Mentis Christian Association in Australia and New Zealand^ From it wo extract .the following as of direct interest to New Zealand: —

EqtnPiiENT,

Dunedm. — If you. refer to the difficulties r which confronted m© in, this oity during my first visit to New Zealand you will understand something of the progress whien they had made to be Teady for the openin? of the canvass on my arrival in August. TfaV time r wsfs so «hort for my etay in New Zealand that we determined to -attempt to raise the building fund in Dunedin in 14- working days: In this report it will be impossible -for me ■to -describe the intensity of public interest which was secured, or to dwell on the magnificent work whioh was done by a large group -of men. I had Secured three offers of £1000 each. . During the 14- days, the 'amount secured in- cash and- pledges was- just over £15,000. This --will*. - nraM possibly '>' V€iry attractive TjuildinK .'for 'Dunedin.

Chnstchurcji. — Following- on immediately after the, Dunedin .-'canvass, we undertook the raising off £15,000 -in 1 this city in 12 working days. The difficulties pointed out in my previous repor,t Juwi not bean entirely removed. The situation was perplexing and. almost disheartening. VIV I was. fortunately able to make arr&ns'emejibs with" the trustees of a special fund. -left by tbeJate^Sir John Hall for .boys' work. >They iJaw entered into an agreement "by which £5000 of- this. amount< will - be' invested' in the association building, and another £5000 will ■be invested as an Endowment Fund for the boys' work. ■'T<nelu"din£- -this £10,000,^ the amount ' raised in Ohristchurch in- the" 'll l ■days =was "

> Auckland. — In ."this, city we confronted. • still another -difficulty. Their present building is a large, conspicuous buildinsr. but absolutely unfitted for association wort.However, it. afforded ,a decided to go for one building while 1 in possession of another. It was decided, to, .place the -old " building, on eale, arid' a" conservative esti-' mate placed £4000 -at the dipeosal of the new building fund from the sale of the old building. It was -then decided -to strike for an .additional £13,00G in 12 days. It rained practically every day of the 12, vet the same magnificent" work was done ibv a large corps of men that had -been done in the other two cities^ As a result. £15,500 had been assured at the close of the 12 days' campaign. Several of tneir largest givers were absent irom-Aueldand, so that the balance will easily be provided. This snm does not include die «dte, which will be provided by the eale of ground , already in their possession.

Wellins?ton. — Mr Hxalm-es, pi Wellington, . had rendered "valuable service— in the campaigns at Chrisfcchurch and Thinedin by co-operating with the National secretaries. . Only six daye" remained, howeyer, that 'Mi' Gillanders and I could give to Wellington. . At the last it was necessary for Mr Gillanders to remain jn Auckland. The heroism of -the Wellington men w»s tested to, the limit in facing/ a canvas fpr ,£7OOO in six days "After two previous canvasses lor ■their "building. However, it _ was undertaken, and resulted in the securing of £4000, leaving £3000, which Mr Holmes hopes to be ajble fco^eecure from friends in the country "districts. The Wilding at- Wellington will be occupied in March, and will be a model for New Zealand. The total value of site, building, and furnishing will be about £25,000. ' , It is practically ' 'assured that building canvasses ' will "be conducted in Invercargill and Timaru, New Zealand, and possibly at Napier also, during the next year. The national secretaries have been asked to ' take charge of these operations. ;

Secbetabial.

To keep pace with the great advance of the movement, much attention has been given to the question of providing suitable men for the various associations and increasing the experience and efficiency of those already in the - sank*. Of foremost importance was the securing of Mr William Gillanders and Mr Alexander Jameson as national secretaries. Mr Gillanders will spend most of 'his time in travel, while Mr Jameson, who is an experienced journalist, will help- to make the national -office of value to all associations.

The «ecretarial training course which I conducted for three months in the Melbourne Association proved co profitable that I would recommend its continuance durinst the coming year. The Melbourne Association has extended an invitation to Mr George Mahy, one, of the foremost American secretaries, to take the eecretaTyehip in Melbourne. ■ Mr Mahy has been authorised to bring with him an experienced physical director. The National Committee has Toted to' pay £100 toward the salary of suoh a physical director in order that he may train Australian and New Zealand men for the office of physical director. There is already a considerable oall for physical directors which must be filled.

Coitventiojj.

The year 1908 will be the time fo» the next biennial convention. The time is now ripe for an important convention inf f the Australasian field. After conference with the secretaries, I am prepared to recommend that the convention be held in Melbourne in November next. Mr Jameson has been asked to take charge of the preliminaries, and a programme, which will, in our opinion, be the most notable contribution yet made ' to work for men in these countries, is being prepared. It will consist of a series of studies of social, physical, educational," and religious condiv?

'-turns- *jponE ? iyounj* men of the various citiee ''

. , NATiccuf> Paper. After conference^witn association Jeaders 'generally and thorough discussion by the .secretaries %t {heir* meeting, we have come ' to the conclusion thaf^ the time has arrived jfco earry^otit sth'e decision' of the National Committee to begin the publication of ShaTJfbffal j^fe-per e^^aWsSf Mfcea^f J^ s 3 *suppdrf* /can be,'-?eaWnaSly "assiKedr* "^The" matter has been placed in thp hands of Mr Jameson? and the ;; prelinainaJry' fanßounoe-"-ment will be made at a n<>t far distant date. ,3"£e hope -that it^ wilt Be possible^ &o issue toe first' number of the paper on*" FebruarTl or March L.^- -*--*.. ..: - ~r-< : rFHfANCIAIi.

The co-operation -of friends "of the association movement has been co generous that the' feiaiiDial problem;, bitfe-faic -to *c solved. It is necessary, ZtiStfevbr, fid < secure additional suppoit. before the end of the year ending \June 30. next.,. . In,yiew..of the extensive afrra practical work" which the National -Oommitte^ is now idoing we feel that additional necessary can be provided.

The worjk_ of -the. national, secretaries hfls been exceptionally vigorous-during the last six months. I have "referred only briefly to developnien-te which I believe will be *thefoundation for V ' great advances 'during the next few years. - While the initiative has been taken by the National Committee, which has thus justified the liberal support •which, has been given it, and has demonstrated -the- invaluable place of such a supervising agency, yefc" it would *>-b most unjust to -wi^ihold recognition of the magnifioent -work which has been done by the secretaries in the various fields and the large and well-organised 'groups of business men -and young -men" who have united to make possible the triumphant" course of events

In closing what has been ,one -of the most delightful- periods ••of ray life; I jsvish to extend to you, one and all, nsy' tKanlcg for the_ '• helpfulness, " sympathy;" and liberality which has chai'acterised your relationship with this work, even before jt had justified its existence.