THE Y.M.C.A. AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 6

THE Y.M.C.A. AT THE FRONT

Sir,—ln your issue of the 9th instant, a letter appeared under this heading, signed by "A.Y.M.C." (of whose identity I have not the slightest knowledge), in which my name was used rather freely. The correspondent referred to makes some statements which certainly never appeared in my letter which lie quotes, and which, if allowed to pass unnoticed, might create a false impression, and do an injustice -to the organisation" referred to. The statement' mainly to be challenged isHhat in the T.M.C.A. canteens the men get every possible comfort, even including wine, rum, and whisky. Certainly I have never seen such a statement in print before or heard of such, and I believe it is absolutely incorrect to say that such things are furnished in the Y.M.O.A. canteens. They may be considered necessary under certain conditions for wounded or sick men, but that'they are furnished to the sound fighting men through the medium referred to, I feel satisfied is quite contrary to fact. The incident of the breakfast on a hard boiled egg, bread, and neat whisky was an incident in the experience or the late Lieut. H. 31. Buttenvorth, and had no connection with the Y.M.C.A.

One other statement that' needs to bo put right is that not only do the Y.M.C.A. canteens provide every possible comfort at cost price, but they, supply tea. biscuits, arid cigarettes free.' It would be quite impossible fott the Y.M.C.A. or any other organisation to supply these things free in the'general canteens. They certainly are doing it for the men. in the trenches out of their Tr.ench Comforts Fund, to-which many of your readers have generously subscribed, but in the canteens the men pay for the refreshments' they get whnth.er in the Service Canteens'or the Y.M.C.A.; in the latter they pet everything at as npar cost as possible, with a gnarantee > that if a "balance remains to the credi't of this work it goes to thp wounded soldiers 1 . The supply of comforts- free to the men in tne trenches still goes on, and funds are still required to' keen up supplies. Mr. Brownell. the National Secretary, or Mr. T). A. Ewen. Hon. treasurer, be glad of. any further support in thfs connec+'on.—T am etc,, U. E, SMITH. February 20. * •