Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

Apart from their immediate object, the public gatherings at which a. welcome was extended' on Thursday to Messrs. Smeeton and Varney, two Y.M.C.A. -officials just returned from England and France, served a -useful- purpose in giving prominence to the activities of an organisation which has a splendid record of war service to its credit. Too much honour cannot bo paid to the. Y.M.C.A. for the work it is doing for soldiers, sailors, and industrial workers in main and minor theatres «nd in the countries at war. The wonderful way in which its groat organisation has boon expanded and adapted to meet the demands | of the ivar is a fit subject for uni- | vcrsal admiration and gratitudf. Something was added on Thursday to our knowledge of the enormous scale on which the Y.M.C.A. is developing its activities. Apart from the innumerable depots and institutions established under the sign of the Red Triangle in England and oversea countries, its officials are, attending and following up tho armies in every theatre o£ war. in many cases they arc located not merely in sound of the guns, but in the near neighbourhood of the firing line, and are in tho fullest sense sharing the hardships and perils of the troops. While tho war operations of'the Y.M.C.A. liavo developed rapidly on an enormous scale, it is agreed by all ivho are in a position to speak with authority that those operations are- at the same time conducted with really remarkable efficiency. Those who arc in touch with soldiers will heartily endorse the- statement made by the Prime Minister on Thursday that tho Y.M.C.A. has tho entire confidence of tho men whoso ha-ppincss and comfort it has done so much to promote. It has earned tho confidence and gratitude of soldiers and civilians by sterling service. Tho work clono in this country has a comparatively small place in tho total enterprise of -the Y.M.C.A., but its activities hero and on behalf of New Zealand soldiers in the war theatres have- in themselves reached notablo proportions. It cannot be too widely realised that the Y.M.C.A. is ontitled to constant and liberal support. Hitherto, judging by tho statement mado by Mr. D. A. Ewen on Thursday, there has been son for complaint on this s!?orc. Another winter campaign in Europe Is in ■ prospcct, however, and tho I Y.M.C.A. will, stand in need of continued support. Responding generously to its appeals tho people of this country will take the best possible means of contributing to tho comfort and welfare of their soldiers in tho field.