Y.M.C.A. AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 4

Y.M.C.A. AND THE WAR

U.S.A. AND ISSUE OF MEDALS. Some discussion took place at Saturday's sittings ot the conference of the N.Z.R.S.A. on a remit, from Timaru that the association protest against the iasue of war medals to Y.M.C.A. workers. Mr. T. "P. C. Walsh (Timaru) said the association did not. object to workers who had been in the forward areas receiving medals. What they did object to was tho issue of medals to those workers who had not been right at the. front. Workers in the latter category .should receive a civil and not a military decoration. • Mr. N. A. Ching (Kawakawa): If the Y.M.C.A. are going to be put on the same level as the fellows who have been in the trenches the thing would be nothing elsa than scandalous. (Voices: Hear, hear.) Mr. AV. E. Eeadley (Cliristchnrch) objected to the remit going forward. Already enou;h blood had l>fpn spilt between the Pi.S.A. and the Y.M.C.A. Tie thought tho remit was only "another slap" at the Y.M.C.A. It had been stated' that there wns no objection to Y.M.C.A. workers in the forward areas receiving medals, but that it wns felt that workers in other areas should not get war medals Why the distinction? Mr. A. B. , Rievwrkht (Wellington): "There are some soldiers, and some in this room, who never left England." Mi'. Sievwright remarked that, the British Government had agreed to the issue of war mednls to war workers. _ and why should they, in a remote portion of the Emnire, decide otherwise. After 'what he hnd-seen nt the front ho felt a ereat admiration for the Y.M.C.A. (Hear, hear.) There were some Y.M.C.A. workel's who hnd done ir.oie in the war than a number of members of the N.71.E.F.

Mr. Y. Poller (Auckland) al*o oprosed the remit. Were it pns?ed. the nnblic would take strong exception to the action, of the fi.S.A. It was not necessary to stir up any morn mud. "I don't want to sling; any mud." remarked Mr. J. Petlierick (Christcluirch), "and I don't wont to make anv distinction. I say that if a Y.M.C.A. worker is entitled' to li medal, then so is a Salvation Army worker. (Hear, hear.) At Passchendaele Chinamen were right up at the front." Tin president (Dr. E. Boxer) Please confine your remarks to Y.M.CI.A. •workers. Mr. Petherick: Can't a Chinaman be a member of the Y.M.C.A. or the Salvation Army? (Laughter.) ' Colonel fi. Mitchell (Balclutha) sa'd he did not think the conference was adding to its dignity by discussing the subject further. Mr. Walsli at this stage withdrew the remit amidst expressions of approval.