AN APPEAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11282, 9 January 1915, Page 9

AN APPEAL.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,—The people of New Zealand, especially tho fathers and mothers of the young men in the Expeditionary Force, need no reminder of the service, rendered by the Young Men's Christian Association in the military camps. What has been dona here has been done in all parts of the Empire, always with tho permission and often otn the special request of the Departments of Defence. .But in addition to what has been accomplished for tho comfort of tno troops at the home bases, specially trained secretaries have been everywhere offered for service on the troopships and at the front, hi many instances these offers have been promptly and gladly accepted, Canada commissioning five secretaries for her troops. Australia, the same, and India, twelve. The people of the Home Lands liavo given the Y.M.C.A. close on) £50,000 for similar work among the., men in camp, afield or afloat. in New Zealand the Defence authorities decided that it would not be expedient to assign Y.M.C.A. secretaries to duties with the forces after they had left these shores; but upon the arrival of the men in Egypt it became evident that tho New Zealanders would be at a disadvantage as compared with the Australians who had their own five, secretaries for camp work. Consequently Mr Jessop. general secretary, at Cairo, cabled for money to carry oji Y.M.C.A. social service among the men from New Zealand. Another cable from a gentleman in Melbourne contained an offer of £SO towards establishing this much needd work. Doth cables were based upon a misapprehension, viz., that tho lack of social work was due to the neglect of thej Y.M.C.A. National Committee of New Zealand. The whole question, however. has»j been reviewed by the Minister of Dele nee, who was quite willing to cable, General Godley, asking again that wo might have permission to render gratuitous service to our troops in the. held. Tho reply from General Godley is as follows:—"Delighted to have money for Young Men's Christian Association, who are doing excellent work here." The way is now clear and immediate action is necessary. May ( ask through yon. Mr Editor, that the fathers aJnd mothers and friends of the contingent - ers unite with us in raising £SOO to' provide Y.M.C.A. facilities for our troops? And in connection with this., appeal we must not forget tho continued upkeep of the commodious iron structure, recently erected by the Y.M.C.A. and opened by Colonel fetter, camp commandant', for the l>enefit of the men in training ;it. Trent!iant. "With the help from friends and sympathisers which. I am confident, will be forthcoming, the Y.M.C.A. will do what only young men can do for other young men in training camps and on distant fields. If you, Sir, will receive and acknowledge any sums forwarded to you foil the purpose named, you will render a much appreciated service to our young soldiers and to the National Committee of the Y.M.C.A. of New Zealand.— I am, etc.. ALEX. JAMESON. National Secretary Y.M.C.A. Wellington, .January 0.