HOSPITALITY LEAGUE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 March 1918, Page 2

HOSPITALITY LEAGUE.

V.M.C.A. WORK FOR OUR BOYS.

It is said that the New Zealand soldiers, being farthest away from home, and among the highest paid,1 are also the most tempted when thrown upon their own resources in London. While there is not much fear of the average clean-living New Zea-,, lander going wrong, the following^ article from 'St. James's Gazette^ will bring comfort to the mothers^ and friends of lads on Active Service. It also shows how seemingly endless is the scope, of the Y.M,C.A. for doing good work for our soldiers, and one can understand after reading this article how the £100,000 asked for on Red Triangle Day will be money well invested. The writer in the London journal says : — Short accounts have appeared in the Press from time to time of the work which is being carried on in London by the V.M.C.A. and various other organisations for the entertainment of men on leave ; but it is doubtful whether, even now, the public is fully aware of the huge task which confronts those who are attempting to combat, by preventive measures, both, excessive drinking and the social evil. Appeals have also been made in the Press for hospitality for the men —for the Dominion troops particularly, because they are strangers in a strange land — and for cars for the night patrol. In all cases the response has been so encouraging that, as far the V.M.C.A is concerned, the scheme for the entertainment of the men has altogether outgrown its humble kiosk origin, and an International Committee has now been formed, consisting of representatives from America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain, which is known as the International V.M.C.A. Hospitality League.'

One may, perhaps, give a brief summary of the various schemes which have been resorted to up to the present time to meet the great problem which the men present who arrive on leave, frequently well provided with money, entirely friendless, and with no knowledge whatever of London.

THE VARIOUS SCHEMES Attractive huts and canteens have been erected; kiosks which served as general information bureas were placed in the neighhood of railway stations, or in any particular place where it was found that the men seemed to congregate ; the night patrol, was instituted, partly to cnnvey soldiers on leave from one station to another during the night, and partly to patrol the streets in search of men who had got into any kind of trouble ; indefatigable workers tramped the streets by day and by night on the look-out for men they might be able to assist; mixed clubs were formed, to which any soldier could bring his girl to tea ; others were open where they could get some dancing; hostesses were found who were willing to ask batches of men down into the country for the week-end, and others would ask any number of them to lunch, tea, or dine. Finally the theatre managers were canvassed for fiee tickets for those who were hard-up," and the promoters of various cinemas and concerts gave free admission to men in uniform.

Each of the five countries represented on the V.M.C.A. International Committee contributes an equal share of working expenses, and each country hands over its own specially trained secretaries to form the inter national staff. The funds are administered and -the staff controlled by an executive consisting ol one representative of each country, and five special departments have been created, each of winch is under the control of a member of the executive. The nve departments are : — 1 -Honorary guiaes (tours round London). 2. Hospitality (lunches, teas h^r*' °tc" in p- at ; co^tdt™!) (th6atreS ' 8. Control of kiosks, workers, and^treet patrol (ni ß ht motor' 5. Church life department. rj