Y.M.C.A. IN WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 7

Y.M.C.A. IN WAR

WORK IN THE MILITARY GAMPS ORGANISATION BEGINNING TO MOVE Duder the terms of the Mobilisation Emergency Act, 1935, the Y.M.C.A. obtains an official status as a military organisation, and in the event of mobilisation can be organised as two services: (1) For the training camps in New Zealand, and (2) for the field forces or expeditionary forces. Its work is to bo along the lines of that performed during the Great War, being of a social and recreational nature. Since the outbreak of war at the beginning of this month the Y.M.C.A. has moved rapidly, and is already established in some of the camps nowoperating. The Auckland branch has started work in conjunction with the camps at Papakura and Narrowneck; the Hamilton branch at Ngaruawahia, and the Wellington branch at Trentham. Arrangements are in hand for the Christchurch branch to undertake duties at Burnham. Mr J. H. Don Miller, secretary of the local branch, stated this morning that nothing definite as to arrangements in the Dunedin area could yet be announced, but in the event of. camps being established in this vicinity the Dunedin Y.M.C.A. would at once play its part. Throughout the last 25 years the Y.M.C.A. has been the only organisation to continue, without a break, work in the military camps. With a large camp at Trentham as a base the y.M.C.A. has served Territorial units

continuously, and has, during the compulsory training period, attended practically every military camp, providing social and recreational facilities for the troops. At Trentham the facilities are the most up to date in the Southern Hemisphere. SUPPORT FROM CHAPLAINS. Support for the Y.M.C.A.’s work ia already forthcoming from certain religious organisations. Mr Miller showed the ‘ Star ’ a letter from the convener of the General Assembly Chaplains Committee of the Presbyterian Church, which said that it was decided to cooperate with the Y.M.C.A. in the establishing of recreational huts in military camps. “ We feel,” said the letter, “ that the Y.M.C.A. has facilities for institutional work, and in order to avoid duplication of efforts and expense' we want to assure you of our utmost support. . . . We are anxious that the Presbyterian people everywhere should know of our approach to the Y.M.C.A., and are confident of their financial aid.”

The Chaplains Board, in Auckland, a board consisting of all denominations, lias also communicated -with the Y.M.C.A. stating its preparedness to assist in every possible way should the Y.M.C.A. undertake immediately social, recreational, and canteen work in tho special areas in Auckland. A war fund has been opened at tbo office of the National Council of tho Y.M.C.A., Ut 114 The Terrace, Wellington.