Y.M.C.A. IN THE FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16567, 16 June 1917, Page 8

Y.M.C.A. IN THE FIELD.

• ♦ OFFICER'S CORDIAL TRIBUTE. "Too much cannot be written about the operations of the Y.M.C.A.," says Captain A. C. Hubbard, of Faeroa, who win recently awarded the Military Cross, in a letter to Mr. H. E. Pacey. "Their brandies are everywhere—at the railway stations, ready to give troops arriving or departing at all hours of the night or day hot tea, coffee or cocoa, with something to eat; in the rest camps and billeting areas, where, in addition to refreshments, j thev provide a building or marquee for recreational purposes/ and then there are another series of depots not far behind the |: firing-line, and often in front of the artili lery. These latter are sort of half-way 1 houses between the front line and the billeting area, and the troops coming out as they do in small parties after being relieved in the front line, where they have been for perhaps six or eight days, are mighty glad to drop their packs—carrying all their worldly possession*— enjoy a hot drink and a piece of cake, gratis, of course, and a short rest before completing their journey to billets. It is not as though there, were a few isolated branches, but there are branches everywhere, all uolng splendid work, I consider of all bodies that are ministering to the comfort of the soldier the Y.M.C.A. stands out alone, and I sincerely trust that it will continue,to receive from the public the necessary support to carry on the good work,"