THE NATIONAL REFUGES SOCIETY.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."3 Snz,—Will you be kind enough to allow me space to say a few words concerning the Shaftesbury Homes and ` Arethusa ' Training Ship, for they are greatly in need of funds to enable the commitee to carry on without impairing the efficiency of the work? Five years of war have added enormously to the maintenance charges, and the situation becomes serious. The committee are loth to close down any of the Homes, and appeal to the British public for a generous response and increased support. Think of the ` Arethusa lads in 350 .vessels under the White Ensign during the late war, of old boys from the country Homes of the society in 150 Home and Dominion regiments, of the large number trained for useful citizenship in this country and the Dominions, and of the 1,100 boys and girls now being trained for useful employment. The
Arethusa's ' splendid record for last year in sending 70 per. cent, of her boys to sea should be gratifying to the British public. The vessel which came next to them in output out of the other four voluntary ships reached only 40 per cent. The country Homes are equally as successful in school work and manual training. Surely -it would 'be a disaster to the nation if any curtailment became necessary through lack of funds. The treasurer, C. E. Malden, Esq., will be glad to receive gifts at 161 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C., to avert the closing down of any part of the work.—I am, Sir, &c.,
HENRY G. COPELAND, Secretary.
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