Y.M.C.A. FIELD SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2971, 8 January 1917, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. FIELD SERVICE

THE REV. M. MULLINEUX'S POSITION

AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

(To the Editor.) 'Sir, —lief erring to the report in The DomNios last week, and also the one appearing in the news columns oi" the 2nd instant, concerning CaptainChaplain Mullineux proceeding as a. Y.M.C.A. Field Secretary with the troops, we havo to state the facts as far as wo know them. In the first instance, Captain-Chap-lain. Mullineux had an interview with. Mr; J. J. Virgo while the latter was iu Maste.rtou, and discussed with him whether thore was an opening for his services in the Y.M.C.A. work. Ho was told that in the position he now held they could not offer him anything, but if he resigned the chaplaincy he could then make application, to the National Committee of tho New Zealand Y.JI. G.A. Later, Mr. Mullineux asked for some information from several members of the National Committee, and they, replied frankly: First: That ho must i-csigti from his present position, as they would nob interfere with any man while officially associated with another organisation. Second: That he must make a written application by filling in tho necessary form for filing purposes. Third: His application would then be considered by the Selection Committee, and in due courso be presented to the executive body. Fourth: His application if in order would be favourably considered. Fifth; His position wonld not be so promiuent as the one held, not holding any rank. In reply to No. 1: We were not aware' until yesterday that he had resigned the Chaplaincy to His Majesty's Forces. No. 2: The written application has not yot been received. No. 3: As no application has been received, Iris name has not come before the Selection Committee. . . No. 4: No appointment .has been .made. "We may say that- the principal reason given us by Mr. Mullineux for seeking wort in the Field Service of the Y.M.0.A.. was that as chaplain he was greatly restricted in the manner of work he desired to do amongst the soldiers, and that he found by residence in the military camps that the position of a Y.M.C.A. secretary wae the work that appealed to him most, and he felt it his duty to 'use all the energy and strength at Lis disposal for the benefit of the men going to fight. . "We hare had numerous applications from every part of New Zealand from laymen and ministers of all denominations, and in no case have we engaged any man who has not resigned his position or received from his employers or church authorities ■permission.- to enable him to undertake the. work, nor have we approached any man or minister asking him to act for the Y.M.C.A., and every man in the service of the YvM.C.A. field work has volunteered his services. The Y.M.O-A. has always endeavoured to act in harmonious co-operation with the Christian Churches in. its services for. the soldiers, the men and bovs of the community. (Signed) E. C BROWNELL, National Secretary. H. TV. KEKSLEY, National Chairman Y.M.C.A'.