WELFARE OF SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 March 1940, Page 9

WELFARE OF SOLDIERS

Y.M.C.A. WORK SUPPORTED. PRESBYTERIAN APPEAL. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, at its recent meeting in St. Andrew’s Church. Wellington, gave full consideration 16 matters affecting the welfare of Presbyterians on active service. The assembly expressed the view that the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was in complete accord with the principle set forth in the National Patriotic Fund legislation that the welfare of men of different denominations in camp at home and overseas is best served by one organisation. The general assembly fully endorsed Ihe action of the chaplains committee in accepting the offer of the Y.M.C.A. to use, in common with other churches, its. social and recreational facilities, both in New Zealand and overseas. The assembly voiced its misgivings at reports that some denominations were already seeking special privileges in regard to the regulations, and said that, the interests of all men on active service and the unity of the national effort would be best preserved, by a ioyal adherence to the original intention. by which a tested and efficient organisation like the Y.M.C.A. should be the one agency, caring for the social and recreational welfare of the men overseas.

The assembly was confident that the Y.M.C.A. would provide every opportunity to chaplains of the different denominations to use its huts in their spiritual ministrations. The assembly, therefore, especially commended to the members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand the appeal of the Y.M.C.A.. about to be launched, calling their attention to the fact that has been stated above that the social and welfare work among Presbyterian men on active service is being done by their church, working through the Y.M.C.A.