Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9718, 21 July 1917, Page 5

Y.M.C.A. WAR WORK

AN ADDRESS TO MOTHERS MR VARNEY RECOUNTS REGENT EXPERIENCES. Air Varney, secretary of the Wellington Y.AI.C.A., who has been for tho past twelve months in England and France, seeing the work done tor tho soldiers at tho front, gave an address yesterday afternoon in the Con-

cert Chamber to mothers and wives of

fighting men. The .Mayoress (Mrs J. P. Luke) presided, and associated with her on the platform were Mrs IV. F. Massey, Mrs Low (president of the Y.M.C.A. Ladies’ Auxiliary), and Mr Ei. O. Brownell, national secretary. 31rs Luke said she had much pleasure in welcoming Mr Varney, as this was the first occasion on which ho had spoken since his return. She welcomed him on behalf of Mew Zealand, but especially on behalf of Wellington citizens. All were glad to .see him safely home, and no doubt many in the hall would ho glad of a personal word, in the- hope that they might hear something of their own sons. Mr Varney expressed hia pleasure at being homo again. Only recently had ho seen the large casualty, lists, and he was sad to think of the many men “gone west” with whom he had spoken only a few months ago. Ho had a message to the mothers of the soldiers, and that message was, “Cheer, O! ’ That was the greeting of every ivsw Zealand soldier, and it was the spirit in which they wore now fighting. In connection with Y.M.C.A. work, Mr Varney said b© would like to pay a tribute to the work of tho women in England. They were fine! At the •Shakespeare hut, -Mrs Stoop was in charge of 350 voluntary women workers, and no matter what time of the day or night trains came in, there were always women there to give tho soldiers a cup of cocoa and a cheerful greeting. Ho road a letter from -Mrs toup, which, was a fine testimony to the Mew Zealanders’ good behaviour in England. These Englishwomen, she said, considered it an honour to work for such men. In Sling Camp, too, very fine work was done. At the hut there, in spito of mud, rain, and discomfort, Mrs Alilray and her workers lived on, and wore always ready with a welcome to tho men. !A letter from her, also read by Air Varney, gave further testimony to the high opinions won by New Zealand men. This lady wag the widow of an/ officer killed early in the war, and she was devoting all her time to the New Zealand soldiers.

At this hut they could get simple remedies for the ills that attacked

them in the cold climate, and first aid

for little injuries, she being a trained nurso, hut, most of all, she said the men appreciated the word of greeting, and perhaps a talk .with a woman of home. Attention was also given to mails, and giving tho men all the information possible. The Y.M.C.A. had one of the best huts in England for tho New Zealanders in London, a camp hut at Hornchurch, another on Salisbury Plain, and a homo at Walton-on-Thamcs. At the last place Mrs Massey had attended tho opening, in a very had snowstorm, and Colonel .Mill had spoken of tho good done there. It was of tho greatest assistance in providing amusement for convalescent men. Miss Ballantyno and her colleagues of the New Zealand Volunteer Sisterhood are doing excellent work. In speaking of the men in Franco, Mr Varney said their one thought was pf home. Discomfort and wounds did not trouble thorn, only home-sickness. Everywhere ho was asked about things in New Zealand, and everywhere the erreat influence with the men was the memory of their homes and the mothers or wives left behind. Ho told tho story of a number of school children who had been collected by a Mew Zealander and were being taught in a broken-down farm-house, only a mile and a-half behind the front lino. Barns. dug-outs, partly-destroyed houses wore everywhere used by the Y.M.C.A. for canteens, and the lecturer described a Sunday evening tea, three miles from the German trenches, whore linen tablecloths and cups and saucers were provided, and an hour given up to a real home tea, followed by a sing-song. These Sunday evenings were of great value morally to the men, he considered. It was the thought of home which kept many men straight. Mr Varney told several stories to illustrate the fine spirit and heroism olfl the! soldiers, not only lin the trenches, but behind the lines. An unselfish spirit was found everywhere, and some fine friendships were being formed at the front. Another fine work the Y.M.C.A. was doing was taking relatives of seriously wounded men to France. Permission and passports had to ho secured from tho( War Office, and then tho association took charge of tho relatives and piloted (hem to France, where they had a hostel, and back again. At Boulogne hoy would bo met by an English lady, who took them in her car, saw (hem through the Customs, and on to the train for their destination, and nerformed the same services for those returning. This work tho speaker thought a very fine one. Such visits had a wonderful effect on the men, and were often the means of saving their lives.

Mr Varney read a number of letters appreciative of the work of the Y.M.C.A. from Colonel Smith, of Sling Camp; Colonel Parkee, who as in charge of Now Zealand Hospitals an England; Colonel Wylie, of Brockenhurst Hospital; Coloney Tewsley, from Hornchurch; and Colonel Hoare, Chief of Staff to General Richardson, who, quite unsolicited, had written a letter of appreciation before the speaker left London. At Hornchurch, Air Varney said tho Williams family, of Hawke** Bay, were mainly responsible for the Y.AI.C.A. Hut. Here and at Brockonhursb Air Varney spoke of workrooms established by tho S.AI.C.A. where a “hobbies” scheme was inaugurated. The men learned woodcarving, carpentering, and all kinds of similar work, which they did in their spare time, which was often hard to fill in at the hospitals, and in many cases would help them in earning a living afterwards. Some of their needlework was quite wonderful, and they seemed to he going to provide all England with Maori-carved walkingsticks.

In conclusion, Air Varney assured his hearers that wherever their eons went the Y.M.C.A. would follow. Before he left England four large marquees and movable huts were being got readv to follow them over the Messines Ridge, and a motor-car. fitted as a kitchen, which was the gift of Mr AfoHardy, of Palmerston North, which could go even further than the huts. He ended by once more repeating the message with which ho had he~ur. “Cheer, O !**

Mrs Lot proposed a vote of thanks

to Tlrs Luke for presiding, and during the afternoon Sergeant TlcKeliar sang two songs. The proceedings closed with the National Anthem. Next Thursday Mr Sinoi-ton and Mr Varner are tr. -.pen!: hi the Tr.vnHhdl ot their csnericnoej, while in Erry.-uid and Fiance.