THE CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 October 1918, Page 5

THE CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK.

Sir, —For 20 years the Church Amy 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. This extra work for the sailors and soldiers of the Empire commencing in 1914, has been second to’ none in volume and efficiency, as shown by the testimony of the British Government, ctdni irals and generals, and by many returned men. Now that churchmen are becoming aware of the great part the Church of England is playing in the their support is confidently looked for to help to extend that work and huts during the German advance. We desire to replace as many of those lost huts as possible before winter. The Church Army came into being in 1887, principally for ministering to the poor of this big cities of England, and in 1917 £400,000 was spent in that way. Since 1910 we have lent a helping hand from New Zealand every Christmas. This year we desire to raise £IO,OOO in the Dominion for pressing needs apart from the war effort which is being so well taken in j 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 be sent to • them during the. war while their fathers; are away fighting, and, if need be, aftdr. We -have thousands already and “still they- come.” , The Waifs and Strays Society has 116 homes for their family of 4900 children. The Church: Army has 120 labour homes and also many fresh air homes. But i 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 training homes for soldiers learning new tades. Our farm in Essex is full of soldiers learning farming; cur fresh-aif homes are filled .to ‘overflowing with children of soldiers; our Alexandra seaside home is commandeered for a Church Army war hospital, in which are many New Zealand boys. We are asking for the 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 will be required for 1918. Our own families are not directly benefitted by this Christian work, we know, hut the families of those fighting for us are, and will be. So that I confidently ask the patriotic people of our favoured land to help to raise £IO,OOO to give a bright Christmas Day to our poorer brothers and sisters in “Blighty.”—l a m, etc., P. W. WHIBLEY, Hon. Sec., Church Army, N.Z. The Vicarage, Ormond .ille.