Can’t you hear, women of Queensland, the men in the trenches calling for extra comforts? Can’t you hear them saying, “If we had a few more pairs of socks and some extra warm clothing things wouldn’t be so bad. I wonder why the women don’t send us more things?” Those who have their women folk working here are unbounded in their gratitude for individual parcels. They also receive goods from the Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. But think of the men who have no friends or relations to work for them! They depend entirely on extra comforts to the Comforts Fund—and if there are not enough to go round there must be many a bitter thought.

But not so bitter as the thought of no reinforcements of men. Nor so bitter as the thought of extra risks, extra hours of suffering because the country they are fighting for refuses to assist them in their hour of need. Every extra man in the trenches lessens the casualty lists. Every extra comfort gives not only a glow of pleasure and hours of comparative ease, but encouragement. Writing from the trenches men say that when parcels arrive excitement is intense. It seems a voice from home, and for the nonce war and death are brushed aside. But the lonely soldier who receives no remembrances, not even slight acknowledgment of his sacrifices, must sometimes wonder if his country and countrymen and women are worth risking death for.

Imperial Service Club.
THE HOME OF THE RECRUIT IN 1914-1916.

Although this club is now closed it will always live in the memory of the soldier who was a recruit during 1914-16. It provided a place of rest and amusement to thousands and thousands of soldiers, and the energetic band of women and men, who put their untiring energies into the club, are deserving of unstinted praise.

It was open every day, including Sunday, and there were always certain members of the women’s committees in attendance during the day, while both men and women were on duty at night, the club closing at 10 o’clock. The scheme was carried out on an extensive scale, and everything possible was done to make the club a comfortable rendezvous for the soldiers. The billiard tables were a great attraction, and stationery and other necessaries were supplied free of cost. A restaurant provided light refreshment, and all sorts of amusements were arranged to attract and interest the soldiers. Over a hundred letters were often received in one day for the men, and the reading and writing-rooms were a boon to the lonely country recruit. Many men left their personal belongings in the care of the committee, and these are stored ready for the owners to claim them on their return from the war. Socials, dances and entertainments were continually being held, and several musical instruments were always at the disposal of the men in the large lounge at the basement of the building. The White City, other attractions for the soldiers, and the fact that there were so few recruits in camp at the end of 1916, occasioned the closing of the club, and the women who worked so enthusiastically for the movement have since turned their energy into other patriotic channels.

RECRUITING READY-RECKONER
FOR MARRIED MEN PREPARED TO JOIN THE A.I.F.
“FOR HOME AND EMPIRE.”

RATES FOR A SOLDIER.Total Fortnightly
Pay.		Fortnightly
Patriotic Fund
allowance
(if necessary).		TOTAL
fortnightly
income.		Fortnightly
Pension
if husband totally
incapacitated.		Fortnightly
Pension if husband
killed.
With a WIFE and no children£4 9 10———4 9 104 10 02 0 0
With a WIFE and 1 child£4 15 10 12 65 7 75 10 03 0 0
With a WIFE and 2 children£5 0 40 17 65 17 106 5 03 15 0
With a WIFE and 3 children£5 5 70 17 66 3 16 15 04 5 0
With a WIFE and 4 children£5 10 100 17 66 8 47 5 04 15 0

In addition to the above there is 1/- per day deferred pay, amounting to £18/5/- per year, which the soldier draws in a lump sum on his return.

Then, again, a man has to remember that he is fed and clothed while in the A.I.F., which is, of course, a big item to consider.