OFF TO FRANCE
— 4 Y.M.C.A. COMMISSION. w' 1 ! 116 as'.represented by the JNationnl Committee in Now Zealaud, do not intend to allow tile grass to grow under their feet as regards providing lor all possible contingencies for the approaching European winter as far as New Zealand soldiers are concerned. • In order to see what is necessary to be done on the spot, the National Council is sending a Commission to France fcv the Niagara, leaving Auckland on August S. The commissioners are: Messrs. H. M. Smeeton (Auckland), W. G. Jamieson (Christchurch), and Arthur Varney (assistant-national secretary in Now Zealand and director of the Y.M.C.A. work in Wellington and at the camps). Mr. Smeeton is the well-known Auckland merchant, and ifr. Jamieson recently accompanied Mr. W. 11. George on a visit to JSfJfpt, to inquire into Y.M.C.A. work. Ine mission of those gentlemen was mentioned at Mr. George's lecture last evening by the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, who said that by virtue of the great work already done, it was only right that the association should send commissioners, and that they should receive Government recognition, which is the case. In the course of the evening, Mr. WilXiniu Allan, a meinber of the council, referring to tho departure of the commis-sionei-o-, made particular reference to Mr. Varnoy. He said that the council had thought it right that Messrs. Smeeton aud Jamieson should bo accompanied by ono with a practical knowledge of the work of the y.M.C.A. They had looked round, and had found 110 one more suitable than Mr. Varney, ot' whoso work in Wellington he could not speak too highly.. For the past two years they had tried to make Mr. Varney take a holiday, but he flatly refused to do so, so they were insisting that lis should take 'this trip to France, and combine rest with the work ho had so closely at heart. Finally, on behalf of th'o North Island Executive of the National Committee, and the Wellington Board, Mr. Allan presented Mr. Varney with a travelling rug. a. trunk, a gold wristlet watch, and a purse of sovereigns as an evidence of their appreciation of the good work lin hml done.
Mr. Vnrney thanked Mr. Allan and tho council for its groat kindness and consideration. Ho said lie hoped to return about Christmas time to tell them that their boys in France and England wore all well, but at the same time was delighted to bo able to do anything that was likely to improve tho lot of our boys on the other side of tho world. (Applause.)
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 6
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431OFF TO FRANCE Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 6
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