GIFT GOODS FOR SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 7

GIFT GOODS FOR SOLDIERS

Y.M.C.A. YVORK EULOGISED.

The rumour , gaining currency that voluntary gift goods from the people of New Zealand never .reach the soldiers in hospital prompted an inquiry ■op hehalf of the 'Te Awamutu branch of the Auckland Women’s Patriotic League, •tortSisto* C. :-Br Outforthi oi the New Zealand Array 'Nursing? Barvice. The 'inquiry particularly ! referred to Itcd Gross work, and the reply comes from the Waltbntbn-Thaiues’ Hospital. s -After dcsci'ißiHg 'tho issue, and the usefulness-of tho goods, and'telling of an inspectionJiy General Richardson, who describes ■New Zealand “as a wonderful and marvellous help in supplying, serviceable comforts for the mop,” she goes. ,on to say, " - “The y.M.CJ.A. is n_; wonderful organisation, and their tforlt’ bafr lies description ; ' the^i' everywhere where they arc ncoded. - You cannot imagine the good they' are ■■ doing in the great city of London.', where, hid? den dangers abound for the inen who,, aocntttoined aa.thoy are' to' Condition? in our precious homo land, aro all too unprepared for the many pitfalls, ■ ‘‘The Y.M.GoAriiaV'- nytforing and more sofrow than-you; canimagine. It has kept inkny laddies from and disgrace. J? 'W homely infliienco away from hhihis.' Tt" has a welcome for all the'soldieft, c ff i ' knows no creed and .social etandinV does not count. All are made weP oomp and all are-given the fnll-'behe-fit of its social entertainmentand recreation which is so desirable for the! safe keeping of .Aha men. .It is .so everywhere; the, V.M-CA- is a]ways hnsy and always doing just what is wanted, The men know, and it As thev who speak most Iqudly of its worth- Here at "Walton they have a lovely place, -where .all the boys can get afternoon tea, and There is a, comfortable sitting-room with- pianos, etc., and reading and writing-moms, and they do everything to keep the minds of the men occupied and to relieve the monotony of time in the hospital, and this is a very important factor in the restoration o’f good health. I could not say enough in praise of what I have seen of the Y.M.C.A-. and X could P°t to ° strongly urge you to aid it by every possible means In its great arid noble work. .. Bright up to the very last they cheer the poor maimed and sick laddies, and every draft J ’s given a send-off before joining the ship which is to convey them r.o/,1,- to New Zealand.”