FIGHTING MEN FIRST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2846, 10 August 1916, Page 3

FIGHTING MEN FIRST

CITY ACCOMMODATION FOR .SOLDIERS. It was'reported that when the — was submarined in the Dardanelles, that the nurses aboard, when ordered to take to the boats, answered "Fighting men first." This has since been contradicted, but whether so or not, it is true that the Empire's lighting men is the first call on all resources. The generous responses that have been made t-o every appeal for funds for tho benefit of our soldiers is sufficient proof of the fact that New Zealand is not behind any other part of the Empire in this respect. It is now universally recognised that, the country has not done its duty by merely fitting men for the firing line by means of months of hard training and the supply of equipment, etc. There is also at least one other important task, that of caring for the men in their leisure hours. And hence the calling into existence'. or the utilising of various organisations for this special work. No organisation has done more in this direction than the Y.M.C.A., and its latest venture, that of providing a hostel for the accommodation of soldiers when in the city, is hot the least of its achievements. The new hostel in Boulcott Street has been fitted with every convenience for tho. use of the men. Tho first night of occupancy was last Saturday. Not much had been done to advertise this fact, but a good number of men booked. Tlio majority expressed great surprise at the excellency of the appointments.

Arrangements have now. been mado whereby the men may book -tlieir beds with the various Y.M.C.A. secretaries in the camps! This arrangement will doubtless be largely availed of and greatly appreciated; as it enables the men to make suro where they are going to stay before they leave camp. A-full house is anticipated for the coming week and the establishment of tins hostel marks an epoch not only in Y.M.C.A. circles, but in New Zealand as a whole, for it'is the first of its kind. .