TOC H.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18399, 4 June 1925, Page 8

TOC H.

REV. P. B. CLAYTON'S MISSION. THE CHRISTCHURCH PROGRAMME. What is Toe. H.t This is tho question one iB J naturally disposed to ask as one reads tho announcement that the Rev. P. B. Clayton, M.C., founder of tho Toe. H. movement, is duo to arrive in Christchurch this morning. The answer is that Toe. H. is an organisation which seeks t6 conserve the qualities of good fellowship and unselfish service which found such wonderful expression in war time, and apply them to the ptoblonis of everyday life. Originally it was a club founded in Poporinghe in ldlti for soldiers of all ranks, in memory of Gilbert Talbot, the gifted son of the then Bisliop of \Vinohester, and brother of the present Bishop of Pretoria, who was killed in action at Hboge when the Germans inode their first assault with liquid fire.

Of the wonderful work carried on by this club in the l'pres saliedt throughout the war it is quite unnecessary to remind any who were billeted in that area. It was something much more than a mere recreation room; and there was gradually formed there a great fellowship of tliOße who frequented it, Which has eoutinued ever since.

To have limited the membership, however, to ex-soldicrs would have meant it was a moribund institution, whose inlHibnce must have become Jesji year by year aftor the war was on4ed. Its founders therefore .decided to admit ail comers into the fellowship. "Everyman's Club" was its title at Poporinglic :ind Everyman's Club it has itself to bo since. Soldiers ami statesmen, professional and business men, clerks'and working men all meet within its wulln on an equal footing, all anxious to learn something of a point of view quite different ftom their own.

Since it was first started in England in 1919 the movement has developed at a truly amazing rate. There are now several houses in London and btafich houses all over JShgland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. The Prince of Wales, who is the patron of the club, never misses a. chance of showing that his interest in it is 'something mueh more thjm merely official, and Mr Clayton is travelling rdund the World-with 6pen letters of introduction from Mr Lord Balfour, the Earl of Cavan, Si£ Owen Seaman, Sir Alfred Picicford, Robert Blptchford, and nuriierous others, who are recognised leaders of thought. 1 Certainly ho new movement in recent times has received more ample support. Mr Clayton will remain in Christchurch till Monday, and the following programme has been. arranged for him

To-day—B p.jn., Y.M.C.A. Friday—lo,ill) a.m.,,St. Andrew's College; 1 p.ni.,. luncheon ;at Y.M.C.A.; 3 p.m., Boys' High School. Saturday— 8 p.m., Savage Ciub Korero. Sundi!-—l'c' a.m.,. Christ's College; 3 p.m., the Cathedral; 8 p.m., Liberty Theatre (his Worship the Mayor in the chair). ■ "