er.
Things have changed for the better, but earlier in the war the output of
munitions was positively hindered by the inadequacy of the canteen
facilities available to the munition workers. The Y.M.C.A. was the first
organisation to attempt to meet this need on anything like a large
scale, and eventually the work grew to considerable dimensions. Our work
in the munition areas has been essentially a ladies' movement, and has
largely consisted of canteen work. Other features are being increasingly
added, music and singing have been organised successfully, lectures have
been greatly appreciated, and several big athletic features introduced.
Sporting events, also cricket and football leagues for munition workers,
have been well supported. It is intensely interesting to see these
people at work, and no other proof of British organising power and
ability are necessary than a visit to some of the great works, many of
which were not built for the purpose of manufacturing munitions of war,
and others improvised since the commencement of hostilities. At one
place in which a canteen was formally opened by Princess Helena
Victoria--who has taken the keenest interest in the development of our
munitions department--from ordinary shipbuilding before the war great
changes had taken place: a Super-Dreadnought was approaching completion;
several T.B.D.'s were on the stocks, and some of the latest type of
submarines were being built; aeroplanes were being turned out at an
incredible rate; shells made by the thousand; rigid air-ships were under
construction; and, perhaps as wonderful as anything, artificial feet
were being made in the same workshops.

* * * * *

Incidentally might be mentioned here, the work the Association is doing
for officers. There are four large hostels in London for the
accommodation of officers, and one for officer-cadets. The young
officer is often not blessed with too much of this world's goods, and
hotel life is expensive, and not always too comfortable. The success of
these hostels has demonstrated the need. At Havre, Calais, St. Omer,
Etaples, and many centres up the line, as well as in home camps, such as
Ripon, we have the pleasure of doing something to serve the officer, and
in many English camps we have opened huts for the exclusive use of
officer-cadets. Gidea Park, Berkhampstead, and Denham were amongst the
first and most successful of these centres. The interned officers i