Sin,—Your readers should not take Mr. Wilmot's complaint too seriously
to heart. So far as the grant from the .Jubilee Fund is concerned, my information is that this SUM Illtlst, in accordance with the declared purposes of the Fund, be ear- marked solely for the benefit of those between the ages of 14 and 18. Impecunious youth of these ages would not, in any case, add substantially to the pockets of guest-house proprietors.
As to his implied criticism of the Association's activities in general, Mr. Wilmot, consciously or unconsciously, has left several facts unstated. Not all Wardens sell food fur their own profit ; at many hostels no meals can be obtained, and members must cook their own.. Where meals are sold, the profit is so small that it would not interest commercially- minded caterers, since the price of meals is not much above cost. Members, moreover, do their own washing-up, clean the hostels, and provide their own sheet sleeping-bags. In reality, therefore, the question of competition does not arise, since the accommodation provided is not analogous with that furnished by boarding-houses.
It is true that the Y.H.A. welcomes as members all who accept its aims. What would Mr. Wilmot like to see—yet another Means Test ?—Yours faithfully,
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