SOCIAL CENTRES IN CAMP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1940, Page 7

SOCIAL CENTRES IN CAMP

COST OF BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. In the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army are many veteran workers whose experience in the last war enabled these organisations to make a "flying start" in well planned programmes for the lighting services in the training camps, on the troopships, and at the base camps overseas. They knew exactly what would be appreciated by our men, and the best way to provide it. Long before the Fighting Services Welfare Fund was constituted, a tremendous amount of work was done in 1 roviding permanent buildings and equipment, and giving the services needed by the soldiers. As an example, in the first few months of the war 14.640 was expended on suitable buildings and equipment for camp amenities, and one of the interesting items in the list was £6OO for billiard tables. This capital expenditure will not recur, and when the war is over it is anticipated that the sale of the material will substantially help the funds for rehabilitation of our returned men. The call now is for funds to make the best use of all these buildings as centres of attraction and value to the men of the fighting services during their leisure hours, by giving them opportunities not only for social enjoyment, but the all-important duty of keeping in touch with their homes. A great camo event is the distribution of letters from home, especially if they are all cheerful and bright.