THE CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1887, 8 October 1918, Page 3

THE CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —For 20 years the Church Army has ministered to sailors and soldiers in their naval bases and barracks, and since 1914 has followed the “British tar” and “Tommy,” and their colonial brothers, in all seas and on all fronts and camps. This war work of the C.A. has been lately made known throughout the Dominion by the good officers of the Military Affairs Committee, who have received £32,000 for war work generally.

Tills extra work for the sailors and soldiers of the Empire commencing in 1914, lias been second to none in volume and efficiency, as shown by the testimony of Ihe British Government, admirals and generals, and by many relumed men.

Now that churchmen are becoming aware- of the great part the Chureh of England is playing in the war, (heir support is confidently looked for to help fo extend that work and to make tip the great loss in stores and huts during the German advance. We desire to replace as many of those 100 lost huts as possible before winter.

The Church Army came into being in 1887, principally for ministering to the poor of the big cities of England, and in 1917 £400,000 was spent in that way. Since 1910 we have lent ji helping hand from New Zealand every Christmas. This year we desire to raise £IO,OOO in the Dominion for pressing social needs apart from the war effort which is being so well taken in hand by the Military Affairs Committee. The Church Army and Church of England Waifs and Strays Society have offered a home to all children of sailors and soldiers that may he sent to them during the war while their fathers are away lighting, and, if need be, after. We have thousands already, and “still they come.” The Waifs and Strays Society lias 110 homes for their family of 4,900 children. The Chureh Army has 120 labour homes and also many freshair homes'. Bnl we are literally “turned out of house and home” on account of war needs. Our labour homes are required, and gladly given, for hostels for men on leave: for homes for girl munition workers; for rest homes for wives of soldiers; and for (raining homes for soldiers learning new trades. Our farm in Essex is fail of soldiers learning fanning; our fresh-air homes are tilled to overflowing with children of soldiers; our Alexandra seaside home is commandeered for a Church Army war hospital, in which arc many New Zealand boys. We are asking for (ho loan of houses in England during war time so that our doors will be open to anyone fighting for the Empire and their wives and children. Much more than £400,000 spent in social work' in 1917 will be required for 1918. Our own families tire not directly benefit led by this Christian work', we know, but the families of (hose fighting for us are, and will be. So that I confidently ask the patriotic' people of our favoured laud to help to raise £IO,OOO to give a bright Christmas Day to our poorer brothers and sisters in “.Blighty.” —I am, etc., F. W. WIIIBLEY. Hon. Sec. Church Army, N.Z. The Vicarage, Ormondville,