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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Personal Volume
The Y.M.C.A
The Y.M.C.A.
is very powerful in New Zealand, especially in Wellington, where they have a splendid new building fitted up with gymnasium, reading, and recreation rooms. The young men have worked well in the "No-Licence" campaign. The number of members is, I think, about 800 senior and 500 junior. Their debating club has been successful in securing the highest position amongst debating societies. They have also been successful in securing the championship in physical culture gymnastic competitions. Their football, cricket, hockey, and swimming teams all make good records. The young men are developing into splendid specimens of muscular Christianity, and set an example which might well be followed by other organisations of the same class.
" Particularly gratifying were the efforts of the University students in Dunedin, whose great gatherings, arranged and carried out by themselves, were the outstanding feature of the Southern campaign. Nor were the young women one whit behind them. From their ranks many of our most successful canvassers were obtained. A cause that can thus command the enthusiasm of so large a proportion of the best of the young men and women of the Dominion may face the future with the greatest confidence."
There appears to be much that the young [unclear: mern] Scotland could do to help the cause, and the example which the New Zealand young men have set should be an incentive to the young men in older lands. The Temperance cause can never flourish without the help of the women and the young people, just as the liquor traffic cannot flourish without the ruin of our boys and the degradation of our girls.
It behoves the members of an association such as the Y.M.C.A. to exert themselves to combat the evils that are incident to the liquor trade. This cannot be effectually done until the political right to vote for or against the closing of the bars has been put into the hands of the men and women of the country.
Published by The Scottish National Council of Y.M.C.As. and Fellowship Unions and Associations, and to be had from the General Secretary, National Council Office, 1 North St Andrew Street, Edinburgh. Price 1/6 per 100, or 10/-per 1000. Orders above 100, carriage paid.