WAR SERVICES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 8

WAR SERVICES

Y.M.C.A. PROGRAMME WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS OPERATIONS IN WAIKATO Plans for the operation of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. during the war have been made and are expected to be put into operation in the near future. Recently the president of the Hamilton association, Mr D. Y. Bryant, accompanied by the secretary, Mr J. 11. Ledgerwood, visited the camp at llopu llopu with the object of carrying out a survey. The provision of huts and club houses overseas is also outlined in the programme. Canteens will be established and will be limited to tea and cocoa bars, unless otherwise requested as a temporary measure by the defence authorities. Both beverages will be free on Sundays. Motion pictures at reduced prices will be made available provided the film exchanges agree to any reduction. At present the association is not permitted to charge less than one shilling, and as the exchanges control the supply of films they will have the right to decide on the scale of charges. Concert parties and community singing will also be arranged. Writing facilities, including the free distribution of writing paper, envelopes, pens, ink and blotting paper, will be provided. Free Reading Service A free reading service will be made available to the soldiers and this will include the provision of daily and weekly newspapers, library books and technical books if required. The association will undertake to procure the books from city libraries on request. Auxiliary postal facilities will be provided free of charge, and the association will also undertake to look after money and valuables belonging to the men. Table games and radio sets will be provided, and it is planned to 'have four billiard tables in each hut. An inquiry bureau and parcels office will be established at each camp, and a telephone booth will also be provided. Educational facilities will be made available in the camps by the Y.M.C.A. co-operating with the Workers’ Educational Association. Plays, music and lectures will be given. A free physical service will also be conducted under the leadership of the association’s physical directors. Games will include basketball competitions, soft ball, baseball, volley ball and wrestling. It is proposed to have a basketball ground which will be lighted for night playing. Religious Activities Full use of the Y.M.C.A.’s facilities will be given clergymen for the holding of religious services, and it is proposed that the whole of this work will be left to them. The city association will provide the soldiers with the full use of their existing buildings and establish hostels for men on leave. Street patrols, a hospitality league, sight-seeing tours, a snapshots-from-home league, and an inquiry bureau will also be provided. Mobile equipment possessed by the association includes a travelling cocoa bar, motion picture entertainment, library, postal facilities, small marquees, radio sets, pianos and concert parties. In order to carry out this work the association requires finance and voluntary helpers. Because of the work it is at present conducting in industrial camps the association has a highly trained staff available to serve anywhere. Overseas Work The overseas service of the association will be confined to the provision of huts, work on troop ships and trains, isolated stations, base camps, rest areas, forward areas and attending and helping wounded soldiers. At a meeting of the General Assembly Chaplains Committee of the Presbyterian Church it was decided to co-operate with the Y.M.C.A. in establishing recreational huts in military camps. This would prevent any duplication of work for the soldiers.