Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

Evening Star, Issue 16236, 4 October 1916, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

Tho magnitude of tire Y.M.G.A.’s war activities may to some extent be grasped from a simple statement made by Mr J. J. Virgo, the visiting field .secretary of the Y.M.C.A. National Council, to the effect that every weak -LI .COO is r -pent on stationery alone in tire Y.M.C.A. huts. Wherever there are British troops these huts with secretaries in charge bring comforts to the soldiers, answer the inquiries of the anxious, and take infinite pains to see that none that are in need of help are overlooked. Mr Virgo’s tour is not. being made with the object of giving lectures, but with the object of unifying all Y.M.C.A. field work throughout tho British Empire. During a short visit to Dunedin on Friday next, Mr Virgo will deliver some lectures, tho principal ones being a women’s meeting in Burns Hall in the afternoon on the subject ‘ Women's Work in ‘the War,’ and a public meeting at His Majesty’s Theatre at night, when tho Y.M.C'A. and tho war wifi he spoken of. This should be of exceptional interest because all the information we will got will be first hand, tire speaker having recently visited Egypt and tho battle fronts of Flanders, as well as having several days with the Grand Fleet. One of tire reasons for Mr Virgo’s popularity among the men at the front is tho fact that not only is he a. Y.M.C.A. secietary but an athlete of the firstorder, having for many years been a. first-class cricketer. It is hoped also, that while in Dunedin, wo will have the opportunity of hearing him as a singer, Tn Auckland recently his rendering of “Keep the Horne Fires Burning” was received -with' great enthusiasm. Further particulars of these meetings are given in our advertising columns. '