LIFE ON A TROOPSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 5

LIFE ON A TROOPSHIP.

AS SEEN BY A CIVmtAIC. TRIBUTE TO THE YJI.CJU A description of life on a troopship has been sent back by a civilian commissioner who was granted a courtesy pas- ; sage, and consequently had unique opportunities, of observing all that took place on board. "Life on a troopship." he Bays, '"cannot be adequately described. It must be experienced, and it is an experience rich in study of all phases of ythat subject- of. absorbing interest--- • humanity. The rigid censorship forbids'"' the name of the ship, locality, destination, and many other details being mentioned. This is a 12,000-ton ship, with about 120 or 130 tons of human beings on board, mostly reinforcements going on active service. There,is a Y-M.C-4- ."■■> secretary on board, and it is- of his place," ~ , work and opportunities that these notes are written. Before we start word is whispered round: 'Wβ have the Y3I.CA. on board.' As the secretary moves about with the triangle insignia and letters on - > his shoulders faces light up and friendly recognition is apparent, not for the man, but for the institution and type of work he represents. The most superficial observation demonstrates that no troopship. . should travel without a Y.M.CA. sccre- i . tary. He is the one man of unique opportunities and usefulness. He has the unrestricted approach for conference wit" the Commanding Officer and the .. full run of the ship. AH others have great limitations. "The CO. desires the welfare of his troops, and the Y.3I.CA. is the right arm for giving effect to those There are 12 sections or troops decks. The Y.M.CA. secretary supplies writing paper, pens, ink. pencils, games, reading matter, atid odd things. There are three hospital sections, with about 30 subjects in all, two isolation cases, ten-V-D.'s and the others miscellaneous — fractures, sprains, influenza, and minor ailments. The CO. grants the 'saloon for Christian fellowship from 7 to 7.30 _. each evening. The meeting starts with" 20, and in less than a week increases to 50, crowded' out, and part of the boat deck is reserved for the purpose. "An order requires all' men "to have their hair cut close to the head; they- ; mostly wear dungarees, and look at their But go among them, and you ;find a wonderfuj variety—great husky wharf labourers and stevedores, magnificent specimens of manhood, with a master of a leadingcpllege, professional men"'"'' with artisans and mechanics, employers -~ and employees ranged together— : an '~ Anglican clergyman'is a private uCtojE* L A.M.C.: a Rhodes scholar is an obscure. - - corporal. It's wonderful. Of course,-; J among such a. number, there are a-few} i undesirables, very few; the great mass-V----i are cream .of our manhood.-It is »tbc <>~- : V.M.C.A. man's job -to" discover the" ~ talents, link them up, organise, them;. _', and make them effective for community..". .-., service. We have only one chaplain on .—<■*. board (Roman Catholic), a.fine-fellovr,- ,- who conducts mass at-6.30 aunCoii" Sundays. ,;•• < v :;.;■■", r -"'..;-t •; •'Among the small number of commis- - - sioned officers are several' professional -■'■■ : men. together with farmers and inccba-- ■: nics — men keenly interested in their work and the welfare of their men, sober, ; ■";,' serious, cheeriiil. Xo liquor is sold .on. j_ board, hence no drunkenness, nor the - --. consequent trouble". The. discipline is/. - splendid. If there was an expressed " need for any particular comfort an. Tin- : limited supply would . be\ forthcoming v;y from the .folks at .home. '■ "It the friends at home could just look '- ... in on this ship and. see the.versatile./ -.■]. V3l.C_i. secretary doing.his.great iountlWj.-, of little and big duties they would'rea-;-. • Hse the value of such an officer and-the, ,'■ great opportunities of such a man, arid/;' they would determine that every troop-~L ship should have such a man; ~ Y.M.CAi autnbrities would'see thatonl*-,, 'm the very best, most capable, . strong, -r" large-hearted, self-sacrificing men 'were" _ selected ■fpi'tie-poslSon,'f^-..;^ r ".t;".U^T;T.n