FIGHTINC SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1940, Page 4

FIGHTINC SERVICES

NATIONAL APPEAL TO RAISE £lOO,OOO Y.M.C.A. AND SALVATION ARMY JOINT EFFORT. OPENING OF CAMPAIGN. Everyone in the community will have the opportunity of making a direct personal contribution to New Zealand’s war effort during the next four weeks, the Y.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army having enlisted the co-operation of public-spirited citizens throughout the Dominion in the campaign to raise £lOO,OOO to provide for the welfare, comfort and recreation of the men of all our fighting forces. These two bodies are not raising money directly for themselves. It will be administered by the National Patriotic Fund Board and dispensed in grants for the work being carried on at the camps, on the troopships, at the base camp overseas, and at every other place where there are New Zealanders serving the cause of the Empire and its ally. Much will be expended in various parts of New Zealand, for there are no fewer than eighteen centres where the Salvation Army and the Y.M.C.A. have provided substantial buildings with good equipment, staffed by. experienced officers whose sole duty is to promote the well-being of the men in camp and to help them in maintaining touch with their homes. This important work commenced with the first day of the war, and it has included the troopships of the First Echelon, and is now being carried out in the base camp in Egypt. Wherever our soldiers go, the Y.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army follow them with the service which keeps them in good heart. It should be emphasised that only through the medium of the Fighting Services Welfare Fund can New Zealanders effectively provide these social and recreational services for our fit troops. Definite spheres of responsibility have been laid down so that theie shall be no wasteful overlapping of effort. For this reason, money subscribed to provincial funds is available: (a) for the benefit of soldiers from time of enlistment until entering camp; also the provision of sports gear for camps, entertainment parties, and the welfare of the soldier whilst on leave; (b) from the time of demobilisation until they are again absorbed’ into civilian life and occupations. The Fighting Services Welfare Fund serves the soldier from the moment of entering camp, throughout his service overseas or otherwise, and until his discharge. Confident of the support of a patriotic people who will help the men making the greater sacrifice, the Salvation Army and Y.M.C.A. have rapidly developed their work for the seivices, incurring a liability for buildings. recreational and other equipment well beyond resources provided to date, but this appeal should put the whole organisation on a sound financial basis and guarantee its vigorous continuance and expansion wherever the need arises. MASTERTON APPEAL MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT. CITIZEN’S COMMITTEE TO BE ’ SET UP. The public of Masterton and district is invited by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan and the chairman of the Masterton County Council, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. to attend a meeting to be held in the Social Hall tomorrow night at 8 o’clock to set up a Citizen’s Committee to launch the Salvation Army and Y.M.C.A. appeal locally. A large attendance is desired.