WAR CONDITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1943, Page 2

WAR CONDITIONS

EFFECT ON GIRLS ACTIVITIES OF Y.W.C.A. ADDRESS AT LEAGUE Ol’ MOTHERS’ MEETING. The monthly meeting of the J.ca/iim of Mothers was held in Knox Tall yesterday afternoon. Mrs L. 13. Maimsell presided and conducted a short admission service for 14 new members.The choir rendered items and a duel, was sung by Mesdames S. Spicer and Baillie, the items being much appreciated. ..... . v An appeal was made by the Mission to Seamen, Wellington, for ditty bags in which could be placed cards, games, woollen goods, handkerchiefs, sweets, etc. As such a gift is given lor a Christmas gift to every man at sea, literally thousands are needed. IL was announced hat the final meeting of the year would Lake the form of "Fathers’ Night," and would be held in Knox flail on Tuesday, November 16, at 8 p.m. , , Mrs Maunsell then introduced Miss Ethel Low, Dominion Secretary of the Y.W.C.A., who spoke on the cllects ol war conditions on girls in Hie city. A great many young girls who have been directed to essential industries are having to leave their homes Io do work they really dislike, she said. At the end of the war much of this work will cease, and hundreds of girls will find out that they have missed their chance of finding a permanent vocation. Thousands of girls are thus giving up their war years as truly as are the men. With so many young girls cut adrift from the necessary home supervision, and seeking accommodation in the cities, the Y.W.C.A. had been able to do a niece of work for which they have been" gaining experience for a great number of years. The original Y.W.C.A. grew out of a prayer circle in England at the time of the Crimean War, when its first job was to accommodate girls drawn out of their homes much as they are today. ‘‘Our first big venture in this war,” continued Miss Low, “was at the request of the Bruce Woollen Mills at Milton, that we should establish and conduct a hostel for the many girls on their staff. In Auckland a Y.W.C.A. hostel houses girls from all over that district to work in the Colonial Ammunition works. Seventy-five girls 16 years of age go to Wellington to train in Post Office work,.and then are drafted back to their home towns. The Y.W.C.A. runs a hostel for these girls, who badly needed the security and guidance of such an organisation. In the Hutt Valley and Wellington City, 16 large institutions have been taken over by the Y.W.C.A. as hostels since February last. Each hostel has two trained nurses and three dietitians on the staff, as well as a matron. To direct the amusements of so many young people in Wellington, the Y.W.C.A. opened a “Gaiety Club,” which men over 18 and any girls who are workers might join. In the first month 1200 girls and boys enrolled. So concerned were the women who form the Y.W.C.A. for the youth of our country that they have taken on these huge financial responsibilities and have also organised a series of lectures which are delivered to each group of young girls in the environment of their own hostel or club. As the Y.W.C.A. is international in background and fellowship, it can be a wonderful educative influence in bringing about that international goodwill which is the only foundation, for lasting peace." Mrs Maunsell, in thanking Miss Low for her address, said that not only were the members grateful to her for sparing time to visit the League, but that their gratitude was due to the Y.W.C.A. for the tremendous work it was doing for all young girls. Tea hostesses were Mesdames Denbee. Newman, Barr, G. Wagg, Graham. Beresford and Jenkins.