MILITARY CAMPS.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 238, 19 April 1915, Page 28

MILITARY CAMPS.

The year has been one of great opportunity so far a- our work in this department is concerned, and we are pleased to report considerable activity by the various Unions where large bodies of troops have been gathered for training. The war has made members of all shades of opinion feel the* necessity of doing something in the* best interest- of the men who have gone forth to take part in the* struggle; against the* deadly militarism of Germany. It i- no part of my duty to deal with the war itself, but rather to speak of those efforts that were made in the* very best interests of our sons and brother-. These efforts have not been confined to the somewhat ea-v ta-k of distributing literature, but have included personal work in providing comforts and making provision for the physical, social, and moral well being of the men. Invercargill distributing coff<*c and refreshments to the members of the* Battery, and of taking its share in providing comforts in the form of c lothing for the* men here and at the front. Tirraru report 1 ■ d tiibut .1 literature. During the* \ddington Camp the* Christchurch Union placed thc'ir luncheon rooms on the Show Ground at the di-ne.d of the Y.M.C.A. and C.E.M S ,*d as some token of tluir appreciation, the nu n contributed over towards the expenses incurred by the two Societies. At the close of the* camp these two bodies forwarded a cheque for X-5 towards our Union funds.

A' Pulrr.ersion Nirih. in addition to the distribution of literature, a number of members joined in making hirt- and other garments, and some members regularly send illustrated papers to men m India and elsewhere. Auckland reports the distribution <>l literature and the frequent visitation of the camps by members. Nelsrn also rei orts the distribution of literature, etc. It must be remembered that many oi our members have also been work ing on Patriotic Committees, whilst the splendid egorts made on behalf of the Bi lgium Relief Fund of a collective character have been most heartily su| ported by our members. It is imj . - able to tabulate, therefore, the amount of work done in and for the military camps and our soldiers in the field, but it is satisfactory to be able to report that amidst the action of Committees our 1 nions have not neglected their distinctive work, for which we are banded together. i would, however, once more draw attention to the need of providing illustrated papers and magazines for the camps that will be held in the immediate future. These will be always acceptable to the Y.M.C.A. or C.K.M.S., or any Senior Chaplain of either of the churches. M. W. MITCHKLL, Supt. Military Camps.