CLUB ASSEMBLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 March 1942, Page 4

CLUB ASSEMBLY

AIASTERTON ROTARY LUNCHEON WORK OF Y.M.C.A. IN CAMPS. ADDRESS BY MR E. M. HODDER. The weekly luncheon meeting of the Masterton Rotary Club was held at the Y.M.C.A. today. The president (Mr Norman Lee) presided over a good attendance. Mr C. A. Hendry, a member of the Hastings Rotary Club and a former resident of Masterton, was a visitor. The meeting again took the form of a club assembly. Interesting and instructive talks arising out of the present war situation were continued by members. Rotarian E. M. Hodder, as local chairman of the camp activities of the Y.M.C.A. throughout the Wairarapa. gave a brief outline, of the work involved. He stated that the Y.M.C.A. had ten institutions working and an eleventh would shortly be working. Where possible buildings had been taken over as there were no marquees or large tents available. In most of these places heating and water had been installed and at the request of headquarters, games of all sorts had been introduced. Another very large activity was the "provision of buffets (as distinct from canteens). Pianos, radios, ping pong tables and concert platforms, had all been supplied. Mr Hodder explained that the Internal Marketing Board had full control of all canteens in New Zealand and no canteen (which is really a general store) is allowed without the board’s permission. For a while, one canteen had been run by the Y.M.C.A., all monies being paid to the board, but the Marketing Board now relieved the Y.M.C.A. of this work. For the general work early every evening at 6.30 teams set off for the camps, finishing at 9.30, and they then had to return to headquarters, check their records and pay in their cash. The troops, who are all well fed, thoroughly enjoy the variety supplied and are very appreciative of the concerts. Four concert parties are constantly on the job going from camp to camp. The local Y.M.C.A. building provides entertainment and tea every afternoon and evening, and it is always full. The expense of the running of this building is not met from national funds. An appeal has been made to the Provincial Patriotic Council, but so far there has not been time for any response from that body. The prices charged to the troops for refreshments are one penny per cup of tea and one penny per cake. Owing to the strain put upon the local bakeries for some weeks it has not been possible to buy cakes, but the ladies of the town have turned to nobly and they have been at the Y.M.C.A. daily and turning out cakes by the hundred. Mr Hodder was careful to point out that in addition to the Y.M.C.A. other social organisations were also fully engaged in work for the troops. THE HOME GUARD. Captain Raymond Lee also addressed the club on the work being done by the Home Guard. He pointed out the tactical importance of this unit and the state of efficiency which had already been reached. Captain Lee mentioned that during the Christmas holidays a large number of local girls had given up their holidays in order to prepare the rolls of the Home Guard, not only during the holidays but on many, occasions since. These girls had given very valuable service. On the motion of Mr E. J. Brown a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the speakers for their addresses.