RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 5 March 1913, Page 5

RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN.

MASTERTON Y.M.C.A

.MEMBERS LAM) til NEW 1! i L.KI.IT.S l-N ONE DA}.

The plucky Jittlo Association at Levin held the one-day ive.,rd lor membership campaigning lor a wock. But, yesterday tlie Ma-sterton l>oys topped thi.' score, landing sixty-one m-tv recruits before ..shuttnig-up time last evening. This will take heating, for not even such centres as Dunee.ni and Invercargdl wero aide to approach tiiis score lor the opening day, although in each case there were larger teams at work. It may have been that the fine rally of Monday evening had something to do with yesterday'* success. Forty "campaigners" gol together and enjoyed a musical programme, games, and a supper, with a ''ginger talk" from the national• secretary (Mr Jameson) at the close. The members of the teams were out early- yesterday morning to win points. With 'business-liko arguments and a determination which (surprised even their best friends they won men and hoys in constantly increasing numbers, until it became evident that they wero within striking distance of the coveted record. As tlio enthusiasm grow, .some of the ''doubters" fell iiito line, realising that the Y.M.C.A. of Masterton was in earnest to make a name for itself, not only by getting members but by keeping them. And with these added to the lists there t was no longer room for question. The local branch stood in the front rank of successful campaigners. Tlio members' team, under the captaincy of Mr David Prvor, enrolled 55 of the new members. Tlio directors' team was responsible for'.six. Doubtless this represents only a beginning of their part of the canvass, which is to continue to-day and to-morrow, and end to-morrow evening with a social for the "now and old." In connection with the effort of the young men to help the Association by bringing their mates into membership, some of the friends of the local branch are working quietly to free the institution from the burden of debt, which is a real handicap to the honorary workers, who are rallying splendidly at tlio back of President Hunter and Hon. Secretary McH attic. About. £IOO lias already been pledged towards tlio £'soo needed to put the Y.M.C.A. in a satisfactory financial position.