IE PLACE OF THE Y.W.C.A. IN A COMMUNITY
Great Service to Women Employed in Business In its eighty years of existence fas an organization, during which time it has found its way to most of the countries of the world, it is obvious, said Miss Eleanor Hinder at the tiffin which marked the oper ing of the Y.W.C.A. Budget Fi ance Campaign last Monday, that the philosophy underlying' the Associntion would have modified Somewhat. It is a commonplace remark that social habits and soci have changed during that period, Yet it is because of these changes that the programme and emphasis of the Association have changed also. Essentially, it may be said of this organization throughout. the world that its genius its capacity to adapt its programme to the needs of the community in which it finds itself, and to the day and generation it seeks to serve.
Its origin in Western count synchronized with the period of opportunity to women in wage earn ing occupations, which frequently necessitated leaving home. Thus it 4s but natural that the Association wearly saw a service to girls in the provision of shelter for them—a place where, if strangers, they might find accommodation in a new city, by the uso of the four letters which, in English speaking countries, typifies the organization, 'The basic need for shelter, the' basic need for food, both of them supplied at rates within the modest means of the majority of self-supporting girls—these the Association saw, and met. Simple though the commodation frequently is, it must have proved a haven in thousands of instances. China is but coming into the period when her women Aare leaving home, and this elemental service of shelter, then, which is one which the Association can ity, Importance. The other day I made Just suck a remark as this to a the United States to observe the workings of this organization, Tu China, in the whole social economic revolution through which the country is going, there is perhaps no other women's organization 89 well equipped to contribute to constructive efforts.
Tt takes as its field all women community, but it takes especially, in most countries, the group of employed women.' In countries with advanced legislation which protects women who work, it is largely in the provision of, healthful recreation facilities that its service lies. The importance of cannot be minimized. In some in Australia I have seen such splendid organized recreation programmes promoted by the Y.W.C.A. that regular games in hockey, tennis, and basketball, in cricket vigor, according to reason, are available for thousands of the city's girls, Night tennis, upon courts provided by the City Counetl, and rented by groups, has doubled the possibility of outdoor recreation for the greater part of the year. S ming, rowing, surfing—all the joy of physical activity is available for girls, through the medium of the Y.W.C.A. It is only in rare instances that the Association of employment which are regulated by law, though it can, and does, do much to bring to: public attention the newest scientific thought in the matter of human relations in in. is so much that ean-ted for! is not only the but the whole conditions of their employment which must be the concern of an organization concerned with the well-being wame. Most people wall Know of the effort of Shanghai women, in which the Y.W.C.A. took "a leading. part, to obtain
late conditions of child Isbour in the Settlement only. Tt is a question for China as 2 whole, and the Association has initiated' here in Shanghai,. in Chefoo, in Tientsin, in Wusih, programmes of work among industrial women. Uitimately here as elsewhere, conditions of industrial employment will. become better as industrial workers themselves are equipped to make them so. The courageous' programmes of education, among dustrial women in this country to be commended. The Associ cooperates closely with city national departments of labour, is keenly interested in the gramme of industrial legislation which this country may-yet see in operation.
Thus my thesis may be claimed to be proved. The Y.W.CA. is a community organization, whose Programme of work is adapted to the needs of the situation in which it finds itself. As illustration very close home may be quoted the inportant employment work of the Foreign Association. Te is always Important to help a woman ye economic independence. It perhaps more important in this cosmopolitan city, where questions of adjustment are so difficult. The opportunity here too to develop new new appreciations of other national traits, is perhaps unparalleled.
In the hands of the Y.W.CA., men and women, the ity's men and women, have entrusted funds to be administered for the girls and women of many) ities In the world. Tt is primarily let me make this point—an edueati institution—not school, with formal groupings, yet) educational nevertheless. It is easy to make an appeal for suffering, or for destitution. Tt is lens easy to make vivid the work of an educational community organization. Yet it requires only the exercise of little imagination to realise that preventive work is of enormous value.
"Investment in the girls of to-day, brings dividends in the city of tomorrow."
Shanghai business man. " What
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.