FOR THE GOOD OF THE SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 46, 17 November 1917, Page 3

FOR THE GOOD OF THE SOLDIERS

CHURCH OF ENGLAND'S WAR WORK

A FAR REACHING ORGANISATION

I A striking feature of the entry of Nov Zealand as a military factor into tin world-war has been the splendid wort done by the ohurches, in the way o: ' providing tor the spiritual and materia! H'elfare of the soldier in camp and a the various battle-fronts. The averagi civilian has no idea of the magnitudi [> of these activities and of the time, of- | fort and money that is devoted to the work. In the course of an interview, Mr. J. W. Henderson, of the Military Affairs Committee of the Church of England in New Zealand, gavo a Dominion reporter some interesting facte concernJug the committee's work. "Some years prior to the outbreak of war," said Mr. Henderson, "the Wellington Diocesan Military Affairs Committee had been formed for work in the Territorial camps. When the Expeditionary Force troops were concentrated at Trenthani, this committee, being conveniently situated, took over the same iy.ork at Trentham. It was a case of greatness being thrust upon it by geographical circumstances. Appeals were sent round, and the other dioceses responded generously, and, later on, the General Synod appointed this committee to havo its present status, tho alteration in its constitution being the addition of a representative from.eaoh of the other five dioceses. "Before going- far, tho committee found it necessary to extend the scope of its work 'and spend a good deal of money at the fighting fronts and in the New Zealand camps in England. This work had been oarried out by Now Zealand chaplains hitherto. But it was thought advisable to have a Central Committee at Home, and one' was accordingly formed, its personnel including Chaplains Burton and Jacob and Mr. J. H. B. Coatee and others. One of the important works of this oommittee is tho distribution of money, remitted to them from Nc\r Zealand. "In this direction it was found advisable to make use of the organisation which the Church Army, the Church of England's representative, had in full working order. The New Zealand Military Affairs Committee forwards considerable sums of uioneyt to the Church Army authorities, through its Central Comuiitteo in London. This money is primarily, although not exclusively, for the beuofit of New Zealand Boldiers. "The Church of England in New Zealand has, through its Military Affairs Committee, sinco tho beginning of the war, built institutes for the soldiers' use and benefit at Trentliam, Foatherstou, Tauherenikau, and Awapuni Camps, at a cost exceeding £4500, and spent .£IOOO in, furnishing and equipping them. Considerable additions are nort in progress at Trentham and Tauherenikau, to further add to tho oomfort and for the benefit of all men in camp. Tho upkeep of theso institutes involves a good deal of exponse. Already .£3OO has been spent on upkeep, while the supply of writing materials, books, magazines, and games lias/ absorbed £500. "The institute at Trentham stands In the centre of the camp, with tho camp clock situated in its tower. At one end of it is a chapel, neatly and roverontly furnished, for prayers and private devotions. The main social hall is fitted up for games, thero is a quiet room for N.C.O.'s, and in the clock tower ia the library- I'he institute is a credit to tho church it represents. "At Featherston Camp we were not as fortunato in the site allotted to us. Our building is cramped for> room, though we have covered every inch tho authorities allowed us. But we have built a beautiful chapel, which is suitably equipped. In the smaller camps, we have quiet rooms, where Holy Communion is celebrated and other services held. "This- committee supports and pays an assistant chaplain at Trentliam, a Native chaplain at the Maori Camp at Narrow Neck, and lay -representative; who is authorised by the Defence Department, and is working among the convalescent soldiers at ltotorua. "Another field of work concerns the soldiers who have returned invalided from the war. The Rev. J. E. Burgin has been appointed chaplain by this committee, which finds his stipend and travelling expenses,',to deal with this phase of the work. He has recently returned from the front himself, and will devote his time to visiting returned soldiers in hospital and at their homes, looking after their interests, and assisting them in every way. "I oannot say, off-hand, how many testaments and prayer-books have been supplied to men leaving theso shores for the war. But the cost of them has amounted to £350, while more than that amount has boen granted to chaplains on transports, to be. spent on comforts for the men during the voyages. And this brings us to the scheme of work w.hich is being carried out in England and France. "From New Zealand, the sum of £2850 has boen remitted to England for assisting to provide recreation huts and for other purposes, at Sling Camp, at Brockenhurst, Hornchuroh, and Walton-on-Tliamcs Hospitals, and at the base camp at Etaples, in France. These funds are disbursed by the London representatives of this committee." Mr. Henderson went on to enumerate the various benefits which the Church of England, through the ( Chriroh Army, had provided. One; thousand huts and tents for rest and recreation of our soldiers on the battle-fronts'in France, Egypt, Pales.tine, Salonika, and" Mesopotamia have been erected. Of these, 220 huts and tents are actually in the shell zone in France alone; from 150,000 to 200,000 men use them daily. Fifty motor ambulances have been purchased and equipped for use in France, while 50 kitchen cars, each able to make 300 cups of coffee or other hot drinks at one boiling, have been put into service, for the use of the men moving to and from the trenches.

Ono thousand beds are always ready, through the efforts of the Church Army for men on leave in England from the front. Hot meals are served day and I night, 200 ladies having voluntarily taken over the care of tho canteen. The British Government handed ovor the magnificent Buckingham Palace Hotel to the Church Army, which is thus enabled to supply beds to soldiers at the low rate of 6d. per night; and it has also provided 100 beds at the Church Army Hospital for septic wounds at Tankerton, in Kent. An item which concerns prisoners of war in enemy countries is of interest. Thousands or parcels are sent weekly by the Church Army to British prisoners of war in Germany. Eaoh pnrcol oosts 55., and contains a warm garment, some little comfort in the way of food and tobacco, a tostamnnt, and a cheery card. His Majesty the has expressed his I thanks to the Church Army for its war work. And the following appreciation was sent by the Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, on tho occasion of the completion of three years of nar:_ "Evor since the beginning of the war, tho Church has been active in many ways for the good of His Majesty's troops, not only in providing necessary rest and recreation by menus of 'huta and similar institutions at Home and in nearly every theatre of war, but by providing hostels for i men on leave, and for housing and training discharged men, by providing recreation _ rooms, hostels, etc., for wives and families of soldiers, sending parcels to men in the trenches and prisoners of war, providing canteens for munition workers, nnd in several other ways. "I much appreciate the value of this Church Army work, which has conduced materially to tho physical and moral welfare of the troops, and I wish it. every success." 'The Church Army spent .6100,(100 last year on soldiers (,£30,000 was spent in free stationery for the huts). Its work is directed entirely towards Iwnefitiu.g the man at the front, irrespective of creed. Tu New Zealand, the Military Affairs Committee of the Church of England is n. lesser Church 'Armv, working in close touch with the greater one. When it is added that the whole of the splendid work done by it is accomplished by means of voluntary subscriptions, it will be realised that there is a very substantial bod.y of citizens w.ho appreciate the work which the organisation is doing.