“ALL ARE WELCOME.”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 19, 8 March 1918, Page 6

“ALL ARE WELCOME.”

MOTTO OF THE CHURCH ARMY. When war broke out and the hardships of winter campaigns were experienced, one of tho first bodies to enter the field for tho benefit and welfare of the soldier was the Church Army. The whole of their large and well-equipped organisation was brought into operation. The motor ambulance of the onurch Army engaged on the Western front now number 50; there were not So many of them in the beginning, but they were the first to enter this field of work. To-day this body has one thousand rest-huts on the various battlefronts, no fewer than two hundred and twenty being in the actual firing-line. In places where it is not possible to erect a hut, or even a tent, these restplaces arc located in ruined buildings, cellars, and even in dug-outs. Fifty kitchen cars, each capable of making 300 cups of hot drinks at a boiling, arc at work daily behind the trenches, supplying refreshment to the men coming out. And, in, London, across the water hundreds of beds, for soldiers on leave, are provided in hostels, included among which are such buildings as Buckingham Palace Hotel, which was handed over to the Church Army by the Imperial Government. During tho past seven months funds have been raised in New Zealand to erect ten Church Army huts, at a cost of £SOO each. The upkeep of tho huts amounts to £SO each. The upkeep of England Military Affairs Committee, which controls all the institutes for soldiers in New Zealand, on the transports and overseas, is now appealing for funds to carry on the noble work. All told, upwards of £1,000,000 has been spent on this work since the war began, and the huts and hostels and other places so provided are open to all, irrespective of sect or creed, the motto being “All are welcome.”