THE Y.M.C.A.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3715, 28 December 1912, Page 2

THE Y.M.C.A.

FORTHCOMING CONVENTION,

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAMJ

CHRISTCHURCH, December 27

Mr E. E. Peacock, chairman of the Australian and New Zealand National Committee of the Y.M.C.A., in an interview, referred t-o the national convention of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. to he held at Sumner from January 2 to 6, and stated that it would be the first of ita kind in New Zealand, and would be attended by about SO delegates, representing associations in the Dominion from Auckland to Invercargill. It was hoped that the result of the convention would be to standardise the work of the Associations and to deal with some of the problems which recent developments have evolved. Among other matters to be discussed will be the relation of the association to the churches, co-operation of the association with the churches in Christian sociological work, and the question of getting in touch with male members of the community from boyhod upwards.

Keferring to the sociological work Mr Peacock mentions the fact that in America it is done by trained men, who rank as professional men, and the nature of the work demanded that it should be entrusted only to highly skilled men. It was also hoped to extend the existing system, whereby communication is maintained with men in the country districts interested in Y.M.C.A. work, and also to extend the activities of the Y.M.C.A. to defence camps and defence matters. Professor Picken will be president of the convention, and Mr Peacock, who will attend ex officio, will give the opening address.