WELFARE SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1940, Page 7

WELFARE SERVICE

FOR OUR FIGHTING FORCES. THE SPIRIT BEHIND ITS PLANS. The national campaign to provide funds needed in the extensive work for the welfare of our . fighting forces, wherever they are serving, has won an immediate response from New Zealand citizens. They realise that through this medium their concern for the happiness and comfort of their own kith and kin in uniform can be directly expressed, for the Salvation Army and the Y.M.C.A. are with the forces not only in the big training camps and overseas, but also at the numerous important points which have to be constantly guarded in the Dominion. What is the spirit behind this great welfare service? the organisers of the campaign ask. It is prompted by the realisation that our young men, in volunteering for the defence of their land, make a decision which completely alters their customary mode of life. Their days are filled with military training; they learn to undergo strict military discipline, knowing that without it the best equipped force lacks effectiveness even to defend itself. But a change from the military atmosphere when leisure hours come is refreshing. Their thoughts turn to home life, and the opportunity of writing to friends and relatives is greatly valued. This chance to keep in touch with home is provided by the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army services. "Whilst all our facilities include food, recreation and rest,” states Lieu-tenant-Colonel Grattan. Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, “we feel that perhaps our best and most important work lies in the very earnest desire of all our officers to be sincere, reliable and trusted friends of the New Zealand soldiers. That is 'to say. we want to be of help to them in their personal, domestic and business problems, and to that end the whole of our world-wide organisation is at their disposal.” How this policy has worked out in practice is expressed by the officer commanding one of the forces now overseas who, before leaving with the First Echelon, wrote to the Y.M.C.A.:— “As the time for the departure of my unit for an overseas destination draws near, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you and your officers for the service they have rendered to us. "As you are aware, the average soldier has no home life and when the day’s work is finished he feels the need of a club where he can enjoy himself in his own particular way. It is that need which is so aptly filled by the Y.M.C.A. Indeed, at Camp all our recreational leisure was catered for by the Y.M.C.A.. and words almost fail me to express the gratitude due tovyour officer stationed there, for he indeed justly earned the title of ’one of the boys.’ “ "There's a certain psychology about, it." reported the officer in charge of another of these camp centres for the men’s welfare. "There’s a different air about the hut. and it means getting away from their own buildings. The facilities for writing letters, the magazines and books, radio, games, etc., and the atmosphere of friendliness and camaraderie all mean a great deal to the follows. The supper, handled mostly by ladies from town, is especially popular. Personal contacts are profitable. It’s a service to cater for the men’s spare time and wherever possible to give a man a lead in the right direction/'