HISTORY AND WORK OF RED CROSS SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 98, 22 September 1948, Page 5

HISTORY AND WORK OF RED CROSS SOCIETY

Address to WJ. At Edgecumbe < Addressing - the Edgecumbe Women’s Institute yesterday afternoon, Mrs J. E. Wmstone, Whakafane, said the Red Cross originated in the mind of Henri Durant who, moved by the sufferings of the s wounded at the battle of Solferino organised bands of helpers, and later wrote a booklet, which he circulated to Governments.! Thus the Ist Geneva Convention regularising the standing of prisoners of war, and the International Red Cross was born. Later, committees were formed in various countries which were the nucleus of the present National Red Cross Societies. In war, the work of the Red Cross is the care of sick and wounded with the Army Medical Service. The Missing Persons Bureau which collected, co-ordinated and distributed information about millions of missing persons was another branch of the Red Cross. All information regarding prisoners of war distributed by Governments to next of kin was first supplied by the International Red Cross. In peace time, the Red Cross is pledged to train personnel for its war time work—to relieve distress and encourage health work. In New Zealand the Red Cross as a member of the Joint Council of St John and Red Cross cares for the sick and wounded in the Red Cross Homes. During the last year over 600,000 garments were sent overseas, and over three years nearly £B,OOO has been spent on Food for Britain. Where necessary the V.A.D. and Transport Services are still operating. , The need for Red Cross is still urgent. Every member is part of an international organisation formed for helping suffering humanity. The basis is the sub-centres which forms the centres. These form the National Societies and the International Red Cross is formed of the League of the National Societies and the International Committee. - The value of the I.R.C. has been evidenced by the work attempted by Count Bernadotte recently in Palestine.