THE Y.M.C.A. AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1917, Page 4

THE Y.M.C.A. AND THE WAR.

ADDEESS BY MR WHEELER. The work of tho Y.M.C.A. in conunction with the war was told to a New Plymouth audience in the course of a, striking lecture delivered by Mr H. A. Wheeler, national secretary" of the Asi sociation at Adelaide, who with Mr C. E. Brownell, visited the town during tho, week-end. The Mayor (Mr C. H. Bum gosn) presided. Mr Wheeler hriefly described the onSanitation, and gave details of the work in which it was engaged. When the war broke out, he said, the Y.M.C.A. was prepared in a measure for the work it was, called upon to do, and it did not hesitate to incur the heavy expenditure j entailed. As one responsibility was discharged other opportunities loomed up ahead, and each situation was grappled I with successfully. There were now 120 Australian and 30 New Zealand Y.M. C'.A. representatives at life front, and the men in the front trenches were now; served with hot tea by the Association' The Y.M.C.A., Baid Mr Wheeler, stooj definitely and specifically for character building. It was well organised in New Zealand. The operations carried on in connection with the war had surpassed the most sanguine anticipations. It had a great future before it, and among its other concerns would be the carrying out of a constructive policy dealing with tho solution of many weighty problems of Imperial importance, including the re« turned soldiers' problem. Mr Wheeler paid a high tribute to the work of tho Mayoress and the ladies associated" with, her in patriotic work in New Plymouth. Oh every side he had heard men speak in enthusiastic praise of Mrs Burges3' devotion, organising ability, and enthusiasm. The record for .flew Plymouth compared more than favorably -with the records of the other towns 'in propor-t tion to size. As illustrating the indefinable influence of women, Mr Wheeler instanced the Soldiers' Club, and said the place had been transformed from a condemned building to a cosy, delight" ful club. Mr Wheeler said money was required with which to carry on the work of the Women's Patriotic League, and he called on those present to make offerings. Donations of £"> were soon coming forward. Mr, Wheeler persisted in his appeal, and put before the audience, in graphic and striking language, the position of the men icho would benefit by their generosity. As a result of the appeal £(io 14a was collected or promised in the room. On the motion of Mr If. Goodacra' seconded by Mr C. E. Bellringer, th< visitors were accorded hearty votes of. thanks. During their brief stav in New Plymouth they collected £O3 for the national fund of the Association.