WINTER IN THE TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2930, 16 November 1916, Page 4

WINTER IN THE TRENCHES

Too much prominence cannot be given to the, special call that is being made -day by the Y.M.G.A. ior the benefit of our troops. Contributions are being sought to a fund to bo expended under the administration of the Y.M.C.A. in providing such comforts for our troops in Fragce as arc calculated to as far as possible alleviate .the hardships they will suffer in the trenches during the winter campaign. AH who realise what they owe to the men at the. front, faced now by the immediate prospect of a hard winter in the trenches, . will respond very readily to a. call offchis kind. There is certainly no better way of doing what should be very willingly done than by responding to the appeal of the Y.M.C.A. Its organisation to that end has been planned upon a comprehensive scale, and is now working with smooth efficiency, not only in France, but in every theatre of war in which British troops are engaged. Sending gifts and comforts to the men at the front through the Post Office in the ordinary way, is a slow and uncertain process, ancl in addition it is not always easy' to know just what should be sent. AH such problems are effectively solved under the organisation and administration 'of the Y.M.C.A. The workers in its advanced depots are in direct touch with the men on the fighting front, and.so are in a position to find out. exactly what comforts are needed to lighten' their lot. The Y.M.C.A. has made ample provision also for the prompt and safe dispatch of goods and comforts. In a word the money for which it is now asking will provide much-need-ed comforts for the men in the trenches by the soundest and most expeditious methods attainable. The nocile work already done by the* Y.M.C.A. in the various theatres of war is an 'ample guarantee that the right things will be provided with a minimum of delay, not only at Christmas, but as .long as the need exists. Who can refuse to help in such a cause 1