SOLDIERS’ CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14022, 27 March 1919, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ CLUB.

(To Hie Editor.) Sir,—l learn from your paper that a meeting is to be held to-morrow to revive the scheme for a soldiers’ club in Hamilton. Nothing is too great or good for us to do for the heroes who left our shores to free humanity for ever from militarism. A meeting should be . unnecessary, for surely £SOOO ought to be forthcoming from a community with such wealth as ours possesses. (Two drapers boast of making £BOOO and £SOOO respectively last year.) There are diverse opinions, as to the usefulness of such a club, and to its upkeep financially, and to its control. The returned soldier returns to civil life; be is part of the community, modest you will find him, no class distinction for him in this soldiers’ club. All returned soldiers fell of the great work done by the Y.M.C.A. in the service of self-sacri-fice and helpfulness. Why experiment? A £20,000 building in the centre of Hamilton, erected and controlled by the Y.M.C.A. would bring returned soldiers from all parts of the Waikato who would then have a place to slay at, amusements whilst there, and a feeling of freedom. If under the Y.M.C.A. control, such as obtained at the front, the locker system for strong liquor would never be established. To foster, or rather, to found, a proper Y.M.C.A. Club is my ideal, for we would then ensure a uniform institution for all time,—l am, etc., T. G. LUXFORD. Hamilton, March 26, 1919.