RED CROSS STATUS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 36, 24 December 1943, Page 6

RED CROSS STATUS

POLICY AND HISTORY OUTLINED DEKiNiTIOX OK Din IKS In order to clear away a number of misconceptions as ,to ihe j powers, status and policy of the International Red Cross Society of which there is a very progressive and active branch in Whakatane we have been requested to print the followingstatement handed us by the secretary. The [international Med Cross comprises: The International lied Cross Committee, an independent body whose essential characteristics is its absolute neutrality, and which is entrusted with the maintenance of fundamental Red Cross principles. The _ League "of Red Cross Socio* ties, an association of national Societies banded together tor purposes of 'practical co-operation and mutual assistance in peace-time. The whole body of National Societies . . . these societies are independent, voluntary organisations, enjoying the protection of their respective Governments, which promote and. encourage their humanitarian Avork. The beginning of the Red Cross movement: In 18(i2 Henri Dunant published "A Souvenir of Solferino." This was the beginning of the movement which was to become associated with the words "Red Cross.'' The immediate end pursued by Dunant was to secure the solemn recognition of "some international principle formulated in terms ot a convention and recognised, as inviolable,, which, once agreed upon and ratified, should serve as a. basis for the activity of societies lor the "relief of the wounded in the, different countries of Europe."

A ■conference met in Geneva in 18(5;?,. tlic delegates of Hi European States participating. This conference took cognisance of a short and simple draft, providing for the formation of national committees in each country,, to act as auxiliaries to Army Medical services with the consent and agreement of their respective Governments. The uniform fundamental basis ot the Reel Gross movement were thus laid down once! for ail. and for all countries, Geneva Convention of 18G1: Another meeting Avas held in 18(5-1— this time a diplomatic conference of accredited Government' representatives . . . and resulted in the signing of the Geneva Gonvention of 18(51. Its, primary object was. of course, to give recognition to the 5 principle that the sick and wounded in time of war. the ambulances in Avhich they are placed, and the medical and auxiliary stall' attending them, are to be regarded as neutral in all times and in all circumstances. The Convention laid down that it is the duty of belligerents to collect and care for sick and wounded soldiers irrespective of nationality. The Convention further established the Red Gross on a white ground (1) as the emblem of this neutrality, and it was recognised from the outset that the. Red Cross should be used not only by Army Medical Services, but also by duly recognised relief, socities constituted to act as auxiliaries; to the Army Medical Services; and these societies were known from the beginning as Red Gross Societies. Principles of National lied. Cross Organisation: To. qualify for. admittance to the world alliance of the Red Gross, each new Society must satisfy the following requirements: (li) Id must be recognised by the Government of its country as auxiliary to the Army Medical Service. (4) It must be called, a national Red Cross Society. (.">) ft must adopt as emblem a Red Cross on a while ground. (<)) Its programme must be .so formed as not to exclude any appropriate branch of medical work in connection with the lighting services, (10) I'l must be pledged to prepare, itself in peace for its wartime work. Above are extracts from the <Jdocument. No. f>B" "The International lied Cross" issued by the League of Red Cross Societies. Paris, and the International Red Cross Committee, Geneva, I!KS7.

ITEMS OF INTEREST «- 4(M)0 Men Needed Between 4000 and 5000 mcii from lire North Island won 111 be called in lo assist with the harvest in the South Island, said Lieutenant-Col-onel K. .1. Walker. Assistant AdSouthern Military District, to the North Canterbury Primary Production Council. Vitamins for European Children A cable from the British lied C/'oss lms been received by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Red Cross stating that it has been decided to establish a fund amounting to £.>O,OOO to be financed by Empire Red Cross Societies, lor the supply of .synthetic varieties of vitamin D to occupied countries of Kuropo for iidminstratlou to children.. The proposal was warmly endorsed by the -executive and the Joint Council in the Dominion is to be recommended to make; a grant of £2000 forthwith.