Y.M.C.A.
NATIONAL WAR FUND. After a year of strenuous work, and ok the threshold of a year of greater opportunity, the Y.M.C.A. of New Zealand confidently appeals for £IO,OOO for it*, national war work at the Home Base and in foreign fields, wherever New Zealaad'*, soldier sons are called upon to fight the Empire's battles. During 1015, lie 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 hag so rapidly increased, and makes such demands upon their resources, that it will be necessary for New Zealand to rail* a sufficient fund to cover the ever-vary-ing needs of the socials and recreational work of its own soldiers in Egypt and wherpver thev may be sent to fight and suffer. Mr. W. Jessop, 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 convaleaeest home, in hospital, on troopship or ill training camp. Military officers, chaplains, and troops are endorsing and praising the work already done and Hirg< ing its immediate extension.' Million! tot letters have been written in the tents, hundreds of thousands of men have had their spare evenings • filled with wholesome entertainment and social privilafi* in good surroundings. Hosts of men Tiave been kept from falling and becoming inefficient. The Esbekieh Qtttlwj, controlled by the Association in (Mrot has Become a most powerful' counter-at-traction to the vices of Eastern life, and every evening finds it crowded with men enjoying their well-iarned rest. As one soldier recently wrote,"lt is an eyeopener." } " i. The North Island Executive in Wel< lington, managing the North Island *p' peal, consists of well-known and experienced business men: Hon. J. Q. Aitken. Messrs. \Vm. Allen, D. A. Rwen, F. !R> Russell,- W. H. George, C. M. C. B. Smith, .T. C. Port, with H, W, Xersler as chairman, and A. Varney secretary. This committee confidently makes its,appeal, realising the urgency of the need for a wide and efficient work amongst the "well" soldiers as well as amongst those in hospital and in convalescent homes, broken in the wars.
Regarding the administration of th§ work in Egypt and elsewhere, the Na* ■: tional Committee of Egypt is such *1 to command every confidence that fundi ■■■ ■ forwarded for the benefit of the soldiers through its agency will be wisely, economically and expeditiously expended. This committee, in addition to *«ll known Cairo business men, includes Sir Henry McMahon, G.C.V.0., K.C.1.G., British Ambassador, as chairman, with ; Lieut.-General Sir John G. Maxwell. K.C.8., G.0.C.-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» doing very good work amongst our sol' 1 dler* in this country. They have been on indispensible and valuable reinforce- , liicnt to the permanent institutions, and have devoted themselves to camns whore their services were most needed. I feel ■ sure they have earned the gratitude of' all ranks and have materially contributed to their welfare, amusement and happiness. Their tasks have been made more difficult hy the constant and sudden moves of troops, often putting them to what might appear useless expenditure, but this lias been quite unavoidable; and I am sure of one thing, and that is. th" Y.M.C.A. n#t only deserves, but should get material support from all t'ense interested in the spiritual and m -rvisl welfare of our soldiers." As an indication of the interest 111* . soldiers take in the work, the following extract from a letter written frotn the .. advanced base on a Mediterranean island near Gallipoli, will be of interitst: —"The Commandant presided at an owning concert, when fully two thousand men gathered in and around the marquee. This place has proved a tremendous boon to these war-worn troops. Their eyes fairly sparkle when they see a piano, a gramaphone, Jind seats to sit upon. Thn place is crowded day and night and is always very lively. The canteen alio i». a great success. We Bell tea, coffee and cocoa, eggs,, bacon,. cakes, scones and buns. We are selling the goods at a • very low price for the sake of the men." Similar testimonials might be multi' plied almost indefinitely. The Committee trusts that every community in New Zealand will make «me - effort in assisting the Y.M.C.A. to reach , its objective. The following cpotributioasftre fought:— S 2 at 1.000 2 " 500 5 " 200 10 " ioe 20 " 50 50 " 20 100 " 10 200 " 5 and ofeer smaller sums. . , The first list will be published on February 12. All contribution* thoul# be forwarded to Mr. A. Vanity, General Seerotary, Y.M.C.A., Wellington, and endorsed, "Y.M.C.A. National W*T IW ■
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Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1916, Page 5
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808Y.M.C.A. Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1916, Page 5
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