IN MANY LANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 March 1943, Page 4

IN MANY LANDS

WORK OF THE Y.M.C.A. IN WAR TIME CONVENTION OPENED IN WELLINGTON ACTIVITIES ON FIGHTING FRONTS. AND ON BEHALF' OF PRISONERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The fifteenth national convention of the Y.M.C.A. opened this morning, when about 30 delegates from all parts of New Zealand were present. Mr C. R. Edmond, presiding, said most of the work now was Avar work and too much praise could not be given to helpers. Unfortunately the zeal of some had led them to go ahead of the front line with the result that they had been taken prisoner. Mr Edmond said local work had suffered from lack of leaders, but all the same work among boys continued, providing a sure foundation for the building up of a future civilisation which was faced with the alternatives of Christianity or chaos. He mentioned that the Y.M.C.A. ceiitenary occurred next year and said that, if the Avar was over, the celebrations would take place in London, with representatives from all parts of the world. At any rate these celebrations will take place some time. Moving the adoption of the report. Mr C. S. Falconer said that wherever men are there is the Y.M.C.A. He instanced that the Y.M.C.A. in Sweden was in contact with prisoners of war in Japan. There were 25 camps in Japanese-occupied territory and seven in Japan, Korea and Formosa and many had been visited by Swedish Y.M.C.A. officials. Information received by the Y.M.C.A. showed that on the whole prisoners in Japanese,hands were being fairly well treated. English books from Tokio had been supplied to some of the camps and were much appreciated.