THE Y.M.C.A. REPLIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17640, 15 August 1919, Page 5

THE V.M.C.A. REPLIES.

The V.M.C.A. National Executive issues a lengthy reply, summarising operations during the war. These expanded through the exigencies of the war :n ever increasing degrees, and in direc-

tions not originally contemplated, including work in New Zealand military camps, hospitals and soldiers' huts; work on troopships from and to New Zealand, work in .Egypt and Palestine, including; the Soldiers' Recreation Club at Esbekia Gardens, Cairo; work in England at all military camps and hospitals in London, whence all operations in England and France were controlled; work in France from the base to the firing line; and work at Colon (Panama Canal).

Tlie V.M.C.A. National Executive comments on the fact that the .!?..£. A.. whose avowed object was to secure a satisfactory explanation of matters raised in the questions, approached the Minister with a request for a, Royal CoiAmission and then, being unsuccessful, gave its statement to tJie press without notice of any kind to the V.M.C.A.. The reply continues that the basis or appeal for funds was always general, not for any special branch ot '.rat work. '•' Red Triangle Day" appeal realised £219,00. It is not'true that the primary basis of the appeal on that occasion was for comforts for men in the trenches, though stress was naturally laid on this phase of the work.

A full balance sheet of V.M.C.A. up to 31>st March 1919, has been completed and audited, and is- now in the Commissioners' hands. Balance .'i'.ieets of ■ operations in England and jFrauce t.» the same date will be issued short* I.\. A full balance-sheet covering work I ir. England and Frame so 80th .\ovem--1 her 1918, has already been 'published. Free services to men at the front accounted for £118,780, or 72 per cent of the moneys sent overseas for V.M.C.A. -work. Administrative expenses were actually yerv low. The total income for the V.M C.A. war work in New Zealand and overseas was £361,451, whereo' Llb'.'J,Boo was remitted to London, a* well, as svims to Egyj>t. A large sum is still earning interest in New Zealand The "policy was to conserve this for worft during the winter of 11)18-19, the :v.mc.y being -e^itTed as -lequired. liie ES.A. Ccminittee bad overstated the V.M.C.A. war work administrative cxp^jises i>y over £25', OCX), prnba^iy ■ through lack o'! knowledge of -vhfit the YM'.C A f.ii'i done in the firing :<m<>v during thf: last t\v«v years. The mon^y bent to Egypt waa expended hi connsu-: tiun v/ith the British V.M.C.A., jSew Zealand troups to receive all attention necessary. Only one New Zealand V.M.C.A. man was there, and it was obviously impossible for him to create a. special organisation. New Zealand Koldiers w«ru the gainers by this arrangement, which continued throughout, the war. The "Wellington Soldiers' | Hostel accounts had been audited and shortly will be published. Shakespe.ire Hut, was run by the British organisation, the New Zealand V.M.C.A. paying cr>ooo. which was about one-third ovj tho cost. The question of the inclusion oi plant in the assets has been decided by the auditors, aud the V.M.C.A. ttn* not concerned with what other associa-

rams >'lid. Hegavding trading, profits from the canteens'reverted to the ine*i, iii spite cf free comforts. In conclusion, ill* V.M.C.A. states: Members of the Committee at their own expense sp»nfc considerable time overseas to Kitisfv themselves the money was beh\'j; spent according to the wishes' of +h« donors. The V.M.C.A. has done its he«t a.i home and at the-*front; ami is fonte'.ir to leave its case to the judgment oi the contributors.