Attention! Citizens Of Palmerston North

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 11

Attention! Citizens Of Palmerston North

The Y.W.C.A. has been established ii Palmerston North for the past 19 years. There is probably not a Palmerstonian who would admit knowing nothing about the Y.W.C.A., but how many could say definitely what place it fills in tho community? Constructive Work—through Health. On the physical health side team games, physical culture, ballroom dan cing, tap and folk dancing, basketbai. —-these activities play a vital part in this association programme. Through such, girls are encouraged to handle their own time, helped to develop their powers of leadership and maintain high ideals of sportsmanship. Tramping, nature study and week-end camps all contribute to tho great factor of health and the appreciation of nature, while a special feature is made of the summer holiday camps for business girls and school girls. Mental Development. It is true that girls and women no longer need the “protection" affordod by hostels and travellers’ aid of some 50 years ago—they can live alone or with one another and travel tho world over without hardship. Their problems and needs are more subtle, not so easily recognised, not confined to one type. Women in every phase of .life have found ‘‘freedom in the modern world." What is being done with that freedom? They have opportunities, more direct than ever, of building the now Jerusalem; they must have knowledge, skill, will and character before they can be competent builders. It is at this point that girls turn to the Y.W.C.A. for the facilities it provides for self development along innumerable lines. For the senior business woman, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, with its aim of “honest and impartial study of current affairs and endeavour through personal development to take an adequate share in moulding community life,” meets twice a month when speakers on topical subjects are the guests of the evening. Mr. R. H. Billens, . of the “Manawatu Daily Times," and his assistant, Mr. M. Walker conduct the discussion on current events, thereby keeping the members well informed of tho happening of the day. The Y.W.C.A. business girls’ lyceum enjoys a programme of handcrafts of various types, drama, literature, singing or first aid. For girls under 18 tho girl citizens with their programme of debates, -ndcrafts, dancing, games, drama. Underlying and permeating their whole programme is their code of eight civic laws of which they are encouraged to make conscious application in their lives. Spiritual Aspect. As background and as motive force for all Y.W.C.A. activities is the Christian message which is once the basis and goal of the association. It must be realised that there is in these days of insecurity and bewilderment regarding established social customs and religious conventions a real demand for help in understanding spiritual values and-for instruction in Christian teaching, particularly by those who are still outside the church membership or even still hostile to it and the methods and materials for this instruction must be both varied and adventurous. In these days religion can no longer bo kept in a special compartment of life, divorced from everyday living. The Y.W.C.A. strives to apply the Christian standard for thought and action to all its programmes. Believing that tho public recognise the value of this organisation the Y.W.C.A. board of directors will appeal to all citizens for their support on Friday, February 26. Buy a badge and smile. The Y.W.C.A. also has a shop in Main street, next to Skinner’s, where cakes, vegetables, etc., are on sale. Help the Y.W.C.A. street appeal!