Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLV, Issue 6856, 23 April 1917, Page 3

V.M.C.A. WAR WORK.

Appeal for Funds.

Speaking at t:ae meeting in the Tow Hall on Wednesday evening last i connection with the V.M.C.A. appea for funda for the Association's Trend Comforts Fund, Mr, Browne!!, the Na tional Secretary, spoke in general term of tha claims of the V.M.C.A. for sup port in carrying on its work amonj the troops. The Y.M.CA., he said hsi been actively engaged among thi troops during several of the recen wars, and bs a" "recognition of the splendid work among the Japanese tfoops during tha Kusso-Japanese wai the Japanese Governnert voted th< Association 5000 yen, thia being the first contribution of the Japanese Government to any Christian society. At the outbreak of the presant war the National Committee of the V.M.C, A. in Britain immediately placed its organisation at the service of the War Office. This was readily accepted, and within a fortnight of the declaration of war a vtry large nuaber . of. agencies had been established in the camps, where clubs and canteens were opened for the men. The original estimates of the work uidertaken had very soon to b3 extended, and wherea9 an appeal for only £25,000 was originaly mad?, the National Committee at Horns bad now collected over £1,480,000 for its war work alone. The War Office offered Chaplaincies to the Association, but these were - not accepted, the work being carried on by Association agents only. Mr Brownell stated that the New Zealand V.M.C.A; h^d spsnt about £60,000 on work in connection with the present war. Of this amount only £4,4' 0 had been raised in the Auckland district. Mr Sraeeton opened a «diy instructive address by referring to the remarkable way in which the activities of the V.M.C.A. had received commendation from all sides, including the newspapers, public men and also from the soldiers themselevs. He quoted the statement of the late Earl Kitchener to the effect that the V.M.., C.A. had gained his confidence from the first, and had won his gratitude and admiration. A number of extracts from letters from New Zeulande-s at the front to their relatives at Home were also read, tho writers being unanimous in their appreciation.of the spleMdid way it] which the Association attends to their welfare, and endeavours to make their lot more tolerable. The letters referred to, supported Mr Smeeton's atatement that the V.M.C.A. is the only organisation engaged in distributing comforts to the men right up in the front trencher The speaker described a number of typical stations situated at the heads of communication saps, giving accpss to the firing trenches, where hot drinks, etc., are distributed free to relief and rationing parties as they go on or come off duty.

Mr Smeeton explained that he had been appointed by the National Committee of the N.Z. V.M.C.A. us a Com missioner to visit Egypt, England and Prance, and report on means whereby the work among our own New Zea

landers could be better developed. He gave an account of his tour through the Camps and Hospitals, etc., devoted to New Zealand troops. At Sling Camp, and also at the Walton-on-Thames, Hornchurch and Brockenhurst Hoßpitala huts are being run by the New Zealand V.M.C.A. The huts usually comprise reading and writing rooms, and concert halls, and at the hospitals "Hobby" rooms have been established where.. cor.Vßlesce?it soldiers can profitably employ their time in making up useful article?. The hut at Sling Camp, where 6000 or 7000 N.Z. troops are usually quartered, will accommodate 1200 men. What is

known as the Shakespeare hut is the headquarters of the New Zealand V.M.C.A. in England. This building was being erected at the outbreak of war as a theatre by the Shakespeare Society, and was handed over by them

o the Y. A3.C.A. for a terra of five years. Through the generosity of various donors a concert hall, soldiers' club, etc , were also erected. At this hut some 400 beds are provided, and are available to any soldier ia uniform at a small charge. Good raeala are also provided at a charge of 9d. Nearly all the work of the institution

is done voluntarily, some 350 ladies giving their services free. In view of the high cost of living in London the facilities,at the SbaKeapeare Hut ate greatly appreciated by our men.

Mr Smeeton's tour through France was chiefly through the 2nd Army Zone. Most of the trip was done by motor. In one part the speaker mentioned that he s travelled eight miles along a road screened on one side by an Bft canvas screen to prevent observation by the enemy. Mr Smeeton found the New Zealand base near Armentieres, and his account of this was full of interest. The Association has thirteen stations.at the New Zea-< land base. ' He described his visit to the great Briti?h base hospital, which contains 30,000. beds,^ and al3O referred to the hostel near by for relatives of men who are too severely wounded to bs sent across to England. The arrangements by which the relatives of wounded men are conveyed by the Association working in conjunction with the War Office, from England and home again were also-described. Mr Smeeton than referred to the activities of the V.M.C.A. in the Navy, and concluded his address by a description of his visit to two of the great naval bases on the East Cosst of Scotland. He saw many of the great battleships, including the Qaeen Elizabeth and the Repulse, and mentioned that the armament of the lat ter includes guns of 17 inch calibre. A vote of thanks to the speakers was proposed by Mr H. A. Sharp, who appealed for.a generous reponse from the people of this district towards the Y.M.C.A.'s appeal. He remnrked that • although it might be a matter of ■ opinion whether the money subscribed here previously had been put to the best possible use, there could be no doubt that donations to the V.M.C.A. will be efficiently used, and do the greatest pjssible good.

A collection was taken up during the evening by the members of the St. John Ambulance Society in aid of the ! Y.M.C.A.'s appeal, the Chairman remarking that residents would have a further opportunity of subscribing when a canvass of the district is made. Mr Brassey sang during the evening the "Long Long Trail" and " When You Gome Home," both songs being greatly appreciated by the audience. At the conclusion of the meeting those interested inspected a number of interesting war mementos, including a trench periscope, shrapnel helmat and a gas helmet. tee On Saturday next the members of ? i St; John Ambulance Society will make a canvass of the district and take up a street collection.