Y.M.C.A. BANQUET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9067, 16 April 1908, Page 5

Y.M.C.A. BANQUET.

MR GILLANDERS ENTERTAINED.

ADDRESS BY THE VISITORS. WHAT THE ASSOCIATION IS DOING. The banquet held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, last evening, in connection with the visit of Messrs W. Gillanders and H. N. Holmea, was attended by about forty persons. The chair was occupied by the President, Mr P. L. Hollings, the guests of the evening being seated on either hand. The Chairman, in a brief speech of welcome, said that all had read the growing reports of the various newspapers regarding the prowess of Mr Gillanders, and most members of the Masterton Association were already familiar with Mr Holmes. The visit ot these gentlemen was an epoch-making event in the history of the Masterton Association, and there was little doubt about the valuable assistance the visitors would render the Association. The object of their visit was to secure promises of sufficient funds for the procuring of a "captain" for the Masterton branch and otherwise assisting it by advice as to management, and members were truly pleased to welcome such excellent campaigners. Mr Hollings said there was an idea prevalent that the local Association was likely to "fizzle out," but instead it was really just about to "fizzle in." The Masterton Association had been existent three years, and he believed it had now overcome most of its difficulties. It started under most inauspicious circumstances, and now boasted a membership of over 100. The enthusiasm shown during the last three months bad inspired him to believe that the Association was more alive than ever before, and he believed there was a great future before it in Masterton, which was, he felt assured, destined to be a very large town in the course of a very few years. Mr Holmes, Secretary of the Wellington Association, was received with loud applause on rising to speak. He gave an eloquent address on the strides made by the Association in New Zealand, Australia and America. H 3 paid a high tribute to the Masterton Association for the practical work it aspired to achieve, and especially in its hospitable treatment of strangers, whether members or not. Ha also lauded the practical and earnest sympathy of the local President (Mr Hollings), stating that he believed the Association was indebted largely to Mr Hollings for its existence. (Applause.) Mr Holmea said that in America incredible good had been accomplished, and that the Association, made up as it wa3 of seven thousand branches, was the most effective and comprehensive organisation in the world for reaching men. He outlined the various successful movements carried on in the great cities of America, where gigantic undertakings were taken in hand, and received the whole-hearted support of the various Governments and railway companies. He concluded by expressing his pleasure at being able to introduce such a distinguished organiser and member of the Association as Mr Gillanders. (Applause.) Mr Gillanders said that the Association to which they belonged acted on the motto of "anywhere, anything, so long as it means advance." He had aivvays had a liking for economic study, and had frequently asked himself," was the State providing sufficient safeguards for its national assets? He found in New Zealand that the State safeguarded various trades and industries in diverse ways, and it was on these line 3 that the Association endeavoured to work — it strove to safeguard that best of all material assets, the young man. It hoped by providing him with wholesome environments and every Christian encouragement to preserve his character and integrity to the utmost. Mr Gillanders dwelt upon the difficulties which lay in the path of the Association in foreign lands, where the Association was extending its influence. He said with regard to Masterton , the object before the Association was to make the rooms more attractive, to secure more members, and to raise, if possible, the sum of £250 per year for the salary of ah organising secretary. The idea of country work with the Association was to choose a radiating centre, such as Masterton, where a general secretary could reside, and could devote a portion af his time to the band'ng together under the Association of the outside districts. The great feature of the work was that the Association had the pre-emp-tive right of the field in its special sphere of work, and chis was a highly important matter. He concluded by impressing upon those present the necessity of united and hearty action. Mr Gillanders resumed his seat amid prolonged applause. A hearty vote of thanks to the two speakers was carried by acclamation. The following members then agreed to act as a Campaign Committee, in conjunction with the Chairman and Messrs Gillanders and Holmes, the object being to raise the guarantee of £250 per year, for three years for the salary of an organising S3cretary:—Messrs 0. Pragnell, D. Hebenton, N. C. Marshall, A. J. Crawford and D. B. Thompson. The Chairman stated that the sum of £SO per year for the three years had already been promised. The proceedings then terminated.