RED CROSS AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 58, 4 December 1946, Page 5

RED CROSS AFFAIRS

MEETING OF CENTRE CONGRATULATORY LETTER A meeting of the Easter* Bay of Plenty Centre of the N.Z. Red Cross Society took place recently in the Red Cross Rooms, Whakatane. In the absence of Mrs Sullivan, Mrs L. B. Smith, Vice-president, (Te Teko) was in the chair. It was intimated that since the last meeting £IOO had been sent to the Waikato Centre Food for Britain, and Mrs Winstone read a letter from the Ministry of Supply in London expressing thanks for the 627 cases donated by the Eastern Bay of Plenty Centre. Since sending the sum forward a further amount of £2O 10s was in hand while £lO had been sent direct from the Edgecumbe sub-centre. Mrs Winstone reported on the Junior Red Cross Conference held in Wellington early in September. An effort was to be made to improve the Junior Magazine and bring out more frequent editions. It would be helpful if Centres would collaborate in this.

Minutes of the annnal meeting in Christchurch having been circulated to sub-centres only a brief discussion took place. A visit to the district it was reported, had been made by a representative of the Blind Institute, Mr Ashdowne, himself blind, and Red Cross members had driven him to the various places he wished to visit. Sub-centres agreed to assist in any way the Institute desired. It was decided that sub-centres should make their own individual arrangements concerning the annual membership drive. Delegates stated that some persons were unwilling to become members of the Society because they were bound to take on work such as sewing etc. to which they were unable to give the time. This, it was pointed out, was not so. Financial members were important and as the annual subscription was only 2/6 approximately |d per week (actually considerably less) it .was urged that canvassers make this clear. It was also stated that the general public was not well informed about the work and aims of the Society in peacetime, and means of overcoming this were discussed. Mrs Winstone said Miss Crooke would probably visit the Centre about February, and if a 16 mm projector could be obtained would bring some excellent UNRRA films with her. The secretary was instructed to try to borrow or hire such a projector.

The same speaker read reports from CORSO including the financial statement. This district’s quota was £99 and since the formation of the C.0.R.5.0. Committee in Whakatane the sum of £l5O had been raised. In addition nearly 2000 garments had been despatched. The fat collection amounted to over 14cwt. Messrs. Timbs and Son had agreed to become the depot for the collection of fat, and would render it. Thanks were expressed. It was suggested Red Cross Centres in the area should be invited to Whakatane early in the New Year to discuss Red Cross matters, and particularly the annual meeting. The secretary was instructed to write the Centres in the Bay of Plenty district to ask them if they would take part in such a conference.

The meeting concluded with the reading of a letter received from the head office of C.0.R.5.0. after the £l5O had been forwarded. Addressed personally to Mrs Winstone, it stated as follows:

“May we say how grateful we are for the support which you personally have given to the appeals which we have issued in the name of overseas relief, and to ask you if you would be good enough to pass on to the members of your committee, and to the good people who have helped, our deep appreciation of the time they have sacrificed, and for their support.—Colin .Morrison, Dominion Secretary.” A letter from Lady Duff was also read, expressing her hopes of meeting Centre members, and saying she had noted with great interest how very active the Eastern Bay of Plenty Centre was.