THE RED CROSS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 7, 12 September 1944, Page 6

THE RED CROSS

ITS WORK AND HIGH PURPOSE

"SYMBOL OF COMPASSION"

The Red Cross- stands for the desire of mankind to alleviate human as far as possible to prevent, it. There are over thirtythree million members throughout tiie world pledged to support the ideals of the Red Cross—"the syn* bol of human compassion."

Everyone knows what the. Red Cros.s does for sick and wounded and prisoners of war but not everyone knows what only the Red Cross can do. It is the Red Cross alone that can give protection to stretcherbearers ambulances hospitals and .j- *• nil medical personnel in the field ol battle and that ensures that our wounded and enemy wounded have equal care by eacli belligerent. It is members of the International Red Cross. that alone have access to Prisoners of War camps in any belligerent country, and obtain alleviation of unsatisfactorv conditions

nnd it is through the Red Cross alone that parcels can be transmitted to prisoners and the exchange of military and civilian prisoners b.e effected between nations at war. Again it is the International Red Cross that traces missing persons, both military and civil. The statement is sometimes' made that, "the Red Cross is a war-time organisation," its prime objective was, of course an international agreement to enable sick and wounded and prisoners of war of all nations to have proper care but in 1919, Avhen the League of Red Cross Societies was formed an ever expanding programme of peace,-time work was inaugurated, including Disaster Relief, the improvement of healthy and the organisation of Junior Red Cross. New Zealand is fortunate that there, has been little ■need for Disaster but the organisation i,s prepared. In the health field there is wide scope,; several Red Cros.s branches (including Whakatane) have taken over tho work of the Crippled Children So' cietj*. The, training of Voluntary Aids —.so vital in the war periodmust he continued in peace time so that in the event of epidemic train' '* •> ed personnel can be called on if required. There is, a move to set up in New Zealand a national T.B. Association. If that is done our National Red Cross Society will be asked to co-operate, with it. In addition there is the care of the sick and neetly* inmates of hospitals and and the health and well-being of the Maori people. At the recent annual meeting of the N.Z. Red Cross Society in Wellington the Hon. Mr Nordmeyer, Minister of Health, stat-

Ed: "I can assure yoir of the very close alliance which exists, between your organisation and the, Health Department. It, is not too much to say that the Red Gross organisation is noAV an integral part of the health of this Dominion. It will be carried on into the post-war era." There is a big job ahead of Red Gross in this district. Few men have, so far returned from overseas. When •y they do the Red Cross is there to help not only them but their families should they need it. The, Sick and Wounded Area Officer has asked for the co-operation of the Society in the care of returned men. Ahead of us too lies the immense task of assisting in the rehabilitation of the suffering peoples of liberated countries. The, need for food and clothing is very great ; and again in the words of Hon. Mr Nordmeyei: "I am sure the people of this cou.ntry will not be found wanting in sharing with the suffering people of other lands the tilings that are so abundant here." Wherever the need the Red Gross "carries on."