Y.M.C.A. AT THE FRONT

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 352, 12 February 1918, Page 1

Y.M.C.A. AT THE FRONT

There is no more eloquent advocate for the maintenance of Y.M.C.A. work among the soldiers than the lad in khaki himself. Every mail brings scores of letters from France, written on Red Triangle stationery and expressing keen appreciation of the services rendered by Y.M.C.A. men. One lad, in a recent letter to his father, says: ''The booklet of Y.M.C.A. coupons you sent will be very useful when we get near a Red Triangle canteen again. You will notice this is written on Y.M.C.A. paper. I don't know what our boys would do here if it was not for the huts bearing tho sign of the Red Triangle. They are to be found in every village up near the line wheie there are any number of troops. In every one is to be found a piano aud chairs for concerts, and tables for letter writing, also the canteen where we can buy a good cup of hot tea and packets of biscuits any time during the day. In the larger villages there are sometimes separata huts containing one or two billiard tables, well fitted reading room, etc. This is not all. Up where an advance is being carried out the " Y.M." have dugouts in constant danger from shells, and where men coming out of the trenches, and ; working parties coming homo, can get a hot cup of cocoa, a packet of biscuits, and a couple of cigarettes for nothing. You can imagine tl e relief it means to some—at least we found it so— coming down from the line at about two or three iu the morniug, muddy, tired and cold, to drop on the Y.M C.A. Dugout. If I was asked at any time whose funds I j would prefer to contribute to it would certainly be the "Y.M."— Tho opportunity to help in the upkeep of this service will be given during the Red Triangle Day appeal for funds. The NZ. National Executive of the Y.M.C.A. recpuireß an amound oijual to £1 per soldier I per annum to carry on the War. Work at Home and abroard.