THE GOOD SAMARATAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 57, 1 April 1946, Page 3

THE GOOD SAMARATAN

WORK OF THE RED CROSS TASK of world relief Any National Red Cross Society formed in conformity with the Geneva Convention may become a member of the League, and thus become part of International Red Cross. The objects of the League, which must be non-political, non-Governmen-tal and non-sectarian, are to encourage at all time Red Cross action for the relief of suffering humanity.

The National Societies are thus part of a huge voluntary international body dedicated to the service of mankind. Each Red Cross Society must co operate with the Government of its country in improving health conditions, and to '.pread

public knowledge in this respect. The Hon. Mr Nordmeyer, Minister of Health, has stated that the Government regard the Red Cross Society as an integral part of the Health Services of the Dominion. The Dominion’s Record The National Red Cross Societies are pledged to train and form Voluntary Aid Detachments for use in war or public disaster. New Zealand’s record in this respect is im-

pressive: 143 Voluntary Aid Detachments with 6800 members, 33 Transport units with 850 members, 160 Voluntary Aids in the W.A.A.C. Medical Section, 230 in the Civil Nursing Reserve, 270 who have tak-en-General Nursing Training and 5 Men’s Detachments with 250 members. It is an indisputable fact that, apart from their assistance in Military Hospital and C.C.S., the civilian hospitals would have been unable to carry on without the Red Cross Voluntary Aids during the war period. The Transport Section, supply-

ing and maintaining their own cars, has driven over three million miles. Added to this that members have, in addition to giving up their free times, paid for their own training, books and uniforms. Junior Branches

Perhaps the greatest work of the Societies is the Junior Red Cross movement, because they build for the future, and build the essentials for a better world —Health, Character and International Friendship. Education authorities enthusiastically endorse the Junior Red Cross. During the war New Zealand Juniors have sent overseas thousands of garments, their last effort consisting of 3621 gifts, the fruits of their Exhibition in Wellington. In addition they have made generous donations to Juniors overseas, prisoners of war, sick and wounded and the Health Camps.

Widespread War Activities

Other work done by the Red Cross members during the war has been making and supplying hospital equipment and comforts, and distributing the latter; packing, and in some cases supplementing, or donating, prisoner of war parcels, helping next of kin; giving hospitality to U.S.A. Forces, and sending generous gifts in money and kind to the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Greece, Russia, China, Norway and India.