Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 303, 20 September 1939, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

Welfare Of Military Forces CAMP ARRANGEMENTS The National Council of the Y.M.C.A. has lost no time in making arrangements to meet war conditions. With their knowledge and experience in catering for the comfort and entertainment of men in camps likely to be set up in different parts of the country, the offer of assistance in that direction has been welcomed by the Government, and steps are now being taken, in co-operation with the Government, to put into operation as soon as possible activities that are considered essential to military camp life in New Zealand.

To that end the following committees have been appointed Executive, finance and administration : Sir James Grose (hon. treasurer), Messrs. F. C. Spratt, K. Luke, C. D. Morpeth, P. E. Pattrick (treasurer), J. L. Hay, A. H. Wallace, C. S. Falconer (chairman), I-I. W. Kersley, R. A. Wright, W. J. Mason, 11. 11. Nim-mo, 11. D. Grocott, C. R. Edmond (treasurer), D. Bryant, J. E. Salmond and D. A. Ewen (advisory).

Programme and publicity: The Rev. W. G. Graham, the Rev. L. A. North, Mr. W. J. Mason, Captain Peterson, Mr. H. It. Pool, the Rev. G. McKenzie, Messrs. C. T. Jeffreys, V. C. Jones, C. L. Cato and H. D. Grocott, the Rev. J. E. Lopdell, Mr. R. H. Nimmo (chairman). Purchasing committee: Messrs. H. S. Hart (chairman), C. B. King, A. H. Wallace, W. H. Denton (treasurer) and C. R. Edmond. 'Staff: Mr. H. W. Kersley (chairman), the Rev. A. Muriel, the Rev. W. H. P. McKenzie, Messrs. W. H. Denton, W. A. Patterson, H. D. Grocott and W. J. Mason. War Service Programme. The war service programme decided on by the national council embraces the following activities: —■ Canteens.—These will be strictly limited to tea and cocoa bars unless requested as a temporary measure by the Defence authorities. Cocoa and tea will be free on Sundays. (Free teas on Sundays have been supplied to men in, uniform at Trentham camp for the past 20 years). Entertainments. —By arrangement with the film companies the minimum charge for admission to picture entertainments given in the camps has been fixed at 6d. for men in uniform. Concert parties and community singing will be arranged when possible. Writing facilities.—A free service will include the distribution of writing paper, envelopes, pens, ink, and blotting paper.

Reading.—A free service of tables with daily and weekly papers, library books in co-operation with the city libraries, and technical books on special request, also from the libraries. The Y.M.C.A. will undertake to obtain books from the libraries on request. Auxiliary Postal Facilities (free service). — Money orders, postal notes, stamps, and letter box. Money and Valuables (free service). —Soldier® will be able to leave money and valuables in the care of the secretary. A safe will be provided for this purpose. Table Games and Billiards.—lt is planned to have four tables in each hut. Wireless sets in each hut and camp. Inquiry bureau and parcels office. Telephone -booth. Educational. —(a) Co-operation with W.E.A. groups; (b) plays; (c) music; (d) lectures using 16 m.m. sound-film equipment. Physical. (Under the leadership of Y.M.C.A. physical directors). Men’s basketball competition, soft-ball baseball league, volley ball leagues, and wrestling. It is hoped to have a basketball ground near the hut. This will be lighted for night playing. Religious—The padres wil be invited to make full use of the Y.M.C.A. facilities to hold religious services and if they will take full charge this phase of the work will be left to them. Sunday night song services and Bible study groups will be held. City Associations. —The free use of existing buildings; hostels for men on leave; street patrols for -picking up stragglers late at night; hospitality league; sightseeing tours; snapshots from Home League; inquiry -bureau. Mobile Equipment.—Travelling cocoir bar; -motion picture entertainment; library ; Emergency postal facilities; small marquee; battery wireless sets; piano and song sheets and leader; concert party. Y.M.C.A. Needs. —Finance; voluntary helpers; staff—the association because of its work at present (being conducted in industrial camps has a highly-trained staff available to serve anywhere. Overseas -Service. —Huts, troopships, troop trains, isolated stations, base camps, rest areas, forward areas, walking wounded stations.

Activities to Date. “Two of the main camps are already being provided with Y.M.C.A. facilities and two others now being organized will be equipped when they are opened to receive the men of the new forces,” says a report of activities to date. Twelve outpost camps are being supplied with reading and writing matter, small games, etc. In some instances radios and pianos have been, supplied. “As soon as men were called up for service the association began its service, which is in ever-increasing demand. We were able to rally to the call throughout the Dominion, because local associations immediately came t* the aid of the national council and undertook to look after the men in their areas till these camps can. be placed under the control of the council and the war service committee. Funds are available to cater adequately for all the needs of the troops. At present three associations have loaned members of their staffs to carry on this very urgent work. “Activitity at Trentham has increased during the past few weeks. The Y.M.C.A. building is extensive and has a large billiard-room with three full-sized tables. This service is free to the men. A large writing-room amply supplied with writing tables is provided. The lounge is very large and is equipped with easy chairs and settees, piano, small tables for games, a large fireplace and an ample supply of reading matter. The canteen meets all the needs of the men as far as possible. Boots are received and sent away for repairs, washing is collected and sent to the laundry. Needle and thread are always available for use and buttons and chevrons are sewn on. A telephone Is installed and messages are taken and delivered. Money and valuables are taken care of and arrangements made to have deposits placed in the Post Office Savings Bank. The Trentham Y.M.C.A. is open from early morning till ‘lights out.’

“The Y.M.C.A. at Fort Dorset camp is under the control of the Wellington branch. Two marquees have been placed at our disposal and the equipment includes piano, radio, reading and writ-

Ing facilities,, and small games. Hundreds of magazines have been sent in from friends. A cocoa bar has been established and at present, at the request of the authorities, this service has been extended to include cigarettes and tobacco. This is only a temporary measure, however, as it is against the policy of the Y.M.C.A. to carry on canteens except for soft drinks, tea and cocoa. Free cocoa and biscuits are served on Sundays. One marquee has recently been provided with a board floor and the other is to be similarly improved immediately.”