RED CROSS WORK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 120, 7 February 1940, Page 5

RED CROSS WORK

COUNTY CHAIRMAN'S LETTER A COMPLICATED POSITION In a circular letter to all women's organisations comprising the Whakatane County Patriotic Council, the chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett has set out the latest information governing the activities of the Red Cross socic-f ties throughout the area. At the initial meeting it was questioned whether the local Red Cross 1 Societies could act as authorised collectors for patriotic purposes. The investigations in this respect are not as yet completed, but the Minister of Internal Affairs writing on December 12 advised. "In the fortnightly periodical of the Red Cross and St. John Organisation, London, the following definition appears: 'Under the International Red Gross Convention, the whole of the relief provided under the symbol of the Red Cross is for the sick and wounded of the Fighting Forces, Prisoners of War, interned in enemy or neutral countries, and civilians injured or sick as the result of hostile action. 'The Convention docs not cover relief of any kind to healthy members of the Fighting Forces or the civil population, neither does it cover normal sick population in civilian hospitals nor evacuated men, women and children'.

Sir Ernest Davis Views. Furthermore, the matter was referred to recently at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty (Zone "G") Patriotic Committee at Tauranga, at which Sir Ernest Davis, Chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council together with the Deputy Chairman and the Secretary, were present. At such meeting, and as respecting the work the Red Cross Society could do, Mr Usmar, Secretary to the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council, stated: '"There is nothing to prevent individual members of the Red Cross Society in any district associating themselves with local Patriotic Committees and working for provincial objectives in that capacity. '"If present intentions are adhered to, and the Minister of Internal Affairs gazettes y tlie necessary regulations, for the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and Red Cross Society will function as collectors for the National Fund only,, and in relation to the care of the sick and wounded. In this connection, as the Minister points out, no National collections can be arranged in any district without the prior consent of the local appointing authority; in your ease the Chairman of the County Council. Furthermore, at the present time there are no sic?( and wounded soldiers for whom an appeal for funds is necessary.

"I am hopeful that the position will be placed beyond any doubt after the meeting of the National Council, called for the 19th January-." Government Decision Sought. The present position is that further advices have not been received and it was my (Mr Burnett's) intention, when a definite Government decision has been given, to request the orginsations herein enumerated to send a delegate to a further meeting, and if possible will endeavour to arrange for the Deputy Chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council to be present. Correspondence would certainly appear to indicate that the Red Cross Socieeties have very valuable work of their own to do, and that such societies endeavours in respect of the collection of funds for the purchase of comforts for our boys who are not sick and wounded, cannot, under such society's rules., be permitted. As a Patriotic Council our endeavours will naturally be directed to collect funds so that comforts etc. may be purchased for the comfort of our troops irrespective as to their circumstances, that is whether combatant or sick or wounded. This may mean a certain alteration in the suggested appointment of District authorised collecting agencies. However, when the position has been definitely clarified I will call a meeting. It is with regret that I have to advise this postponement, but in my opinion it is better now that all issues be clarified and so subsequent misunderstandings will be avoided.