The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1916. Y.M.C.A. WORK IN EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1916. Y.M.C.A. WORK IN EGYPT.

Dense and terrible as are the lowering clouds of war there are, here and there, rifts through which the silver lining is seen, conveying messages of hope for the time when peace will reign supreme. One of the brightest of these cheering rays is tlmt which illuminates the grand 'humanitarian work that this time of intense stress has brought forth. There has been a manifest broadening and deepening of human sympathy—sentimental and practical—and a notable effneemcnt of that narrow selfishness which heeds not the troubles, trials, and misfortunes of those around us. The spirit of universal brotherhood is making itself felt among the civilised nations, hand in hand with the spirit of self sacrifice. Not that selfishness lias been eliminated from our midst, hut, like the effect of a tiny pebble cast into the lake, there is an ever widening wavelet of human kindness encircling humanity, brightening the lives of our kinsmen in the camp, in the trenches, in hospital, and elsewhere, while it brings comfort to the relatives and friends of those brave men who have obeyed the call of duty and are prepared to face the consequences. Most of those who have enlisted have experienced the happiness and protection of home life up to the time they left for the training camp. Then a new era of existence became theirs, especially when landed on a foreign shore like Egypt. Far from home and friends, cut off from family ties and influences, amid navel surroundings and strung up to a high point of tension by the nature of the terrible work that, lays before them, they are at the mercy not only of the temptations that are dangled before their eyes, but also of the pernicious subterfuges of the low element that unfortunately abounds in the East and battens on the innocence and inexperience of its victims. It is, therefore, with feelings of the deepest gratiude that our lads, as well as their relatives and friends, should welcome the grand work that the Y.M.C.A. is doing in Egypt and elsewhere. Its aim lias been to (ill the lacunae in the social organisation of the country and to counteract its demoralising influences by giving the men some place which tliev could frequent without restraint, where they could purchase good food and extra comforts at reasonable prices, and where they could find amusement and spend their spare time pleasantly. Right loyally and thoroughly has the Association carried out its self-appointed task, and in so doing has been of the greatest assistance to the men and to the anir.v authorities. Wherever a camp has been cieated the Y.M.C.A. has pitched its tent, and at each of these centres tlie men find materials for letter-writing, papers to read, games to play, while they can get good meals at low prices and can use the tent as their recreation room. Every evening there is something doing in which tlie men can take their part. It is stated that since the Association started operations in the "Near East'' it has distributed up till December last :!,*>n0,00() sheets of paper and as many envelopes, while at the present time 400.00(1 sets ai'e required per month. Parents and others at home should realise what this means, for had not this provision been made it is extremely porliable that few, if any, letters would have reached them, and thousands of homes would have been deprived of the happiness and pleasure of receiving news from the boys at the front. A most commendable feature of the Association's work is its uadenwnißational character.

Lecture* are given, language classes held, concerts organised by volunteers, and everything humanly possible done to interest and amuse the men. It may be asked: '"Are these eflorts crowned with success'.''' The great test of the Association's success is to be found in the manner in which the men avail themselves of the facilities offered tliein. On any afternoon when no manoeuvres are in progress the tents are full. At the end of the parade, or the conclusion «: the ten hour, the men make, for the WM.C'.A. tent in a, long procession, there to spend the evening, and the evidences of contentment are such as to leave no room for doubt that the men highly appreciate the efforts that arc beUg made to brijfhten their camp life and give them happiness amidst surroundings in which happiness would otherwise be impossible. A M'anganui nurse, writing from Cairo to her mother, recently said: "Tt is a great work the Y.H.C.A. are doing here. . , There is always something to interest the boys and keep them ham stlier things. . . The Association needs all the support it can get, as it ha# many blanches of work. , . .

1 hev know where and how to use money best, and thousands of mothers, sisters, and wives can thank the Y.M.C.A. for getting their letters." Needless to say, this noVile work cannot be carried on without funds, and the Association will welcome donations to its war fund. The general secretary's office is at Wellington. The work speaks for itself and tall? for generous support.