Dominion Red Cross Conference

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 82, 16 August 1948, Page 4

Dominion Red Cross Conference

EASTERN BAY DELEGATE’S REVIEW At the annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Red Cross Society held this year in Dunedin, Otago and Southland Centres successfully co-operated in doing everything to make the occasion happy and memorable, said Mrs A. W, Winstone, Eastern Bay of Plenty delegate, when she got back to Whakatane. Delegates were met at the station, and airport by uniformed members of the Red Cross Transport Corps, who willingly put themselves and their cars at the disposal of the visitors. Boxes of beautiful chocolates were placed in every delegates’ hotel room as a gift from members of the Otago Centre, and were very much appreciated, especially by northern visitors. The Conference was opened, by Sir Donald Cameron, Mayor of Dun- * edin, in . the charming Otago R.S.A. Hall, loaned for the occasion. The Dominion chairman, Major A. E. Gibbons, briefly commented upon the Society’s work during the past year. The need for taking a full part in the work for relief overseas . was stressed by. many speakers during the Conference, especially the necessity of strengthening the League of Red Cross Societies, and the International Red Cross, by increased membership and most particularly by financial support. New Zealand Red Cross is being ably represented at the*Red Cross Conference being held in Sweden in August of this year, by Mr C. G. White (also a member of the Board of Governors), Mr G. Hennessey and Miss Iris Crooke, all of whom have long-standing and excellent records as active Red Cross workers. #. Major Gibbons stressed how the eyes of the world were upon Red Cross through Count Bernadette, the U.N. mediator in Palestine. “It is significant,” he said, “that Count Bernadotte was chosen, not only because of his personal ■ qualities, but because of the universal respect in which Red Cross is held among the nations of the world, and he was chosen because of his position in Red Cross, and because Red Cross is a part of the U.N. org- , anisation. “Every member of the National Red Cross Societies can take a personal pride and pray for the success of Cotint Bernadotte’s efforts. The Red Cross is the greatest force for peace in the world today, especially as it is enabled in its work among the suffering peoples of the world to build up that strongest of Ml fourfdations for peace-—interna-tional friendship.”

Members of the Council , were unanimous in their desire for- a National Red Cross Day." On the Wednesday evening, members of the Council Were entertained by the Otago Red. Cross Ceritre at a social evening held in the charming Savoy Rooms where a programme of talks, singing and a most popular conjurer were enjoyed. A. gesture that, delighted the women delegates was a gift, from the Southland Red Cross Committee of an evening spray, made to match their gowns. The Dominion Executive was increased from nine to 12 members and includes three ' elected, . and three ex-officio women members. Mrs Winstone was elected to the Dominion Executive and also as one of the Red Cross delegates to the Joint Council of St John and Red Cross. . The conference concluded on Friday at 1 p.m. and Otago Centre again proved itself as host by engaging two sight-seeing buses to take the delegates for a tour of Dunedin Harbour, with afternoon tea at Portobello. Although mist obscured many fine views the drive was thoroughly enjoyed. To round off a very pleasant. annual meeting the president of the Otago Red Cross Centre, Mr C. N. Smith, arid Mrs Smith, entertained the visitors to a delightful cocktail party in their lovely home at Anderson’s Bay.