Y.M.C.A.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 56, 11 February 1916, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

NATIONAL WAR FUND. After a year of strenuous work, and on the threshold of a year of greater opportunity, the Y.M.C.A. of New Zealand confidently appeals for £IO,OOO for its National War Work at the home base and in foreign fields wherever New Zealand’s soldier sons are called upon to light the Empire’s battles. During 191 b, the burden of the work in Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean has fallen on the English National Council, but urgent messages have now reached the Dominion from Headquarters that their work has so rapidly increased and makes such demands upon their resources, that it will be necessary for New Zealan to raise a sufficient fund to cover the ever varying needs of the social and recreational work of its own soldiers in Egypt and wherever they may be sent to fight and suffer. Mr W. .Tessop, National Y.M.C.A. Secretary, who is organising the whole of the Eastern work, cables “Send men and money.” The Association is desirous of extending its well-known activities wherever the need arises, in fighting line, in base and rest camps, in convalescent home, in hospital, on troopship or in training camp. Military officers, chaplains, and troops are endorsing the praising of the work already doue, and urging its immediate extension. Millions of letters have been written in the tents, hundreds of thousands ox men have nad tixeir spate tvemu-s nixed wxtn, unoiesome emertamiueux, and social privileges «» E oou surrounuings. riosts ox men uave

been Kepx nolll lulling and becoming inemciexu. The r.sbmcieh Garden;., conuoued by Die Association in Cairo,

lias become a most powerlul counter attraction to the vices ol Eastern iite, and every evening liucus it crowded witu men enjoying tbeir well-earned rest. As one soldier recently wrote•■j.t is an eye-opener.”

The North isiand Executive m Wellington managing Hie Nor tlx Island ap-

pe«i, consists ot well-known and ca

penenceu business men—-xion. a. G. vV. Aitken, *uessr s William Allan, V. A. Ewen, F B. Bussell, W. H. George, C. M. Luke, C. K. Smith, J. U. Fort, with VV. H. iversley us Chairman, and A. Varney, secretary. This committee confidently makes its appeal, realising the urgency ot the need tor a wide and emcient "ork among the “well” soldiers as "’ell as amongst those in hospital and in convalescent home, broken m the wars. Regarding the administration of the work in Egypt and elsewhere, the National Committee of Egypt is such as to command every confidence that funds forwarded lor the benefit of the soldiers through its agency will be wisely, economically and expeditiously expended. This committee, in addition to well-known Cairo business men, includes Sir Henry McMahon, G.C.Y.0., K.C.1.G., British Ambassador, as chairman, with LieutrH.e||iei’al Sir John G. Maxwell, K.C.8., G.O.tb in Chief, and Lord Edward Cecil, K.C.M.G,, D. 5.0., as vice-chairman.

Sir J. G. Maxwell writes as follows:—“The Y.M.C.A. in Egypt has done and i s doing very good work amongst our soldiers in this country. They have been an indispensable and valuable reinforcement to the permanent institutions, and have devoted themselves to camps where their services were most needed. I feel suie they have earned the gratitude of all ranks, and have materially contributed to their welfare, amusement and happiness. Their task ‘has been made more difficult by the constant and sudden moves of troops, often putting them to what might appear useless expenditure, but this has been quite unavoidable, and I am sure of one thing, and that is, the Y.M.C.A. not only deserves, but should get, material support from all those interested in the spiritual and material welfare of our soldiers.” As an indication of the interest the soldiers take in the work, the following extract from a letter written from the advanced base on a Mediterranean Island near Gallipoli will be of interest ;—“The Commandant presided at an opening concert, when fully two thousand men gathered m and around tlie marquee, ibis 'pface has proved a tremendous boon to these war-worn troops. Their eyes fairly' sparkle when they see a piano, a gramophone, and seats to sit upon. The place is crowded day and night, and is always very lively. The canteen also ! is a great success. We sell tea, coflee and cocoa, eggs, bacon, cakes, scones, and buns. We are selling the goods at a very low price for the sake of tlie men.” Similar testimonials might be multiplied almost indefinitely. The committee trusts that every community in New Zealand will make some effort in assisting the Y.M.C.A. to reach its objective. The following contributions are sought:—2 at £IOOO, 2 nt £SOO, 5 at £2OO, 10 at £IOO, 20 at £SO; 50 at £2O, 100 at £lO, 200 at £5, and other smaller sums. All contributions should be forwarded to Mr A. Varney, General Secretary, Y.M.C.A., Wellington, and endorsed—“Y.M.C.A. National W .11 Fund.”