Y.M.C.A. WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. WORK

LECTURE BY DR BEDFORD. A largo attendance of townspeople listened to an interesting address by Dr Bedford m tho Mosgiel Ilall last evening. Mr Quelch (Mayor of Mosgiel) presided, and briefly introduced tho lecturer. Dr Bedford, who was welcomed with loud applause, spoke of the activities of tho Y.M.C.A. in camp, in Now ZeaJand, on the troopships, and particularly in England. An incalculable amount of good was dono by providing _ entertainments, etc., as a counter attraction to tho many pitfalls that awaited tho soldiers at ports of call. At Si ng Camp, in Salisbury (England), wliero half a million of men wero gathered, the military authorities had practically handed over the entertainment and tho providing of refreshments to the Y.M.C.A. Tho institution provided all accessories, such as supper, afternoon tea. sweets, etc., and tho groat majority of the soldiers treated it as their club. There were three or four entertainments per weok, provided by the best talent of Britain. Thousands of the soldiers mado tho Y.M.C.A. their bankers, and drew instalments of their wages as required. Inquiries were made on behalf of friends by a confident-'al secretary, but this was becoming an exceedingly difficult burden on the Y.M.C.A. owing to the frequency in the change of soldiers' addresses. The Y .M.C.A. had many establ shments :n London, _ and could accommodate 10,000 men per night. There was one " hut" specially frequented by New Zealandeis, called the Shakespeare Ilut. In this there were 404 beds, and 100U meals wero served daily. Some 350 waitresses were connected w.th this " hut," and gave their services free. Tho meals wero served day and night. Tho work slackened off about 3 a.m.; but resumed about threo hours later. Ihrough the Y.M.C.A. the soldier could have a cheap holiday in London, good accommodation, and good meals. He could get a meal at about one-third what it would cost in a restaurant. Most of the work was done voluntarily; 'and so long as the institute got. back the cost of tho food it was about all that was wanted.

Great work was done by the Y.M.C.A. cars, both in England and in France. No fee was charged. _ In Franco the cars met the'boats conveying relatives to see dying soldiers, and often the body for burial. At almost every hospital, naval base, etc., the Y.M.C.A. was to be found in its usefulness. In the Crystal. Palace, which had been transformed into a great naval school, an immense room was used as a writ ng room, whore 5000 letters daily were posted. Tho _ Y.M.C.A, provided the writing material. A canteen on an extensive scale was carried on there. It was quite common to dispose of a tCn of cake in Id slices per day. A large amount of funds was necessary to carry on tho work. Heavy rents had to be paid iu many cases, which ho instanced. The lecturer was listened to witli much interest, and frequently applauded in the course of his address. The collection which followed the lecture was liberally responded t.o.