Y.W.C.A.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 16, 2 July 1920, Page 9

Y.W.C.A.

It is perhaps not generally known how far-reaching is the work of the Young Women's Christian Association, as it seeks to meet the needs of the women and girls of the world. Less than eight months ago a group of Association worker's arrived in Bucha-rest ahd opened the first Young Women's Christian Association in Roumania. House huntirig there, is an even' more arduous task than it is in .New Zealand, for the Roumanians move only twice a year, on St. George's Day, in April, and on St. Dimitrius's Day, in Qetober. As the party did not arrive until November 1st, no one wanted to move, and there were certainly no unoccupied premises. After searching for seven weeks the Association workers were able to lease for 4f months an upper flat in a very old house. This flat had not only to provide sleeping and living accommodation for the staff, but the office headquarters of the Association work in Roumania, and the club rooms for students, business and professional women, amongst whom work was being begun. (We trust that when Sfcv- George's Day came round in April, Miss Anita Hodgkin, the .executive secretary for Roumania, was able to move her "faniily" to better and more commodious premises). Groups of leading men and women have been formed to study the social conditions and educatiorial problems in Bucharest. There is one very larg6 factory employing, at times, as many as 1500 women on the making of soldiers' uniforms. The Y.W.C.A. is arranging to obtain rooms within this factory, in which may be carried on recreation work for industrial girls. The Queen of Roumania is most interested in the Y.W.C.A., and believes that the Assdciation is needed by .young women of all classes, and that in working amongst all, the Association may help to create a better feeling between tbe stud- , ents, the working women, and the society women. Q.ueen Marie's interest is a practical one. Shortly before th.e opening of the premises she held a meeting at the Palace, in order that the Association programme might he put before the people. On the opening day when both Queen Marie and Princess Elizabeth were present, she presented a picture of herself and the King, for the rooms, promised to let the workers have the nse of an automobile, and gave instructions for the installation of a telephone, which latter convenience it is impossible to secure without Government aid.