FREE AMBULANCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 26 November 1930, Page 10

FREE AMBULANCE.

COMMITTEE SET UP.

CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED.

Although there was not a large tendance at the public meeting held the City Council Chamber yesterday, response to the appeal of the Mayo (Mr J K. Archer), those preaent weie enthusiastic regarding the proposal to set up a Citizens' Committee m order to raise funds for the erection of a new building for the St. John Amb* lance Aviation, and the purchase of ambulances for the free ambulance service recently established. After several speakers had addressed the meeting a committee of seven was set up to make the necessary arrangements for furthering the proposal. The chairman, the Mayor (.Mr J. K. Archer) said that he had noticed in the newspapers that at the meet.ng of the X'iccarton Borough ,Council the previous evening, there was a tendency to make a joke of the proposal. However, it had to be remembered that

all new movements were exposed to criticism. The free ambulance movj-

ment was a good one, and it was unfortunate that times were so bad for the launching of an appeal for funds. History of Movement. Dr. J. E. Thomas traced the history of the St. John Ambulance movement, and stated that all such services were expected to bo done without thought of reward. It was felt that the time had now arrived when something should be done to meet the increasing demand for ambulance service. He stressed the necessity of an ambulance being available at any moment that it was necessary. The present district extended from the Hurunui to the Rakaia rivers, he said, but it would probably be necessary for ambulances occasionally to go beyond these boundaries. The sum aimed at to make the appeal a success, was a large one, but there were about 2(H),000 people in the district. The Association had a freehold property in Gloucester street, and in addition had the sum of £2IOO in hand, as the nucleus of a building fund.

Past Services. Dr. I<\ J. Borrie stated that in the past a good deal of the work done by the Association had been free. No charge had been made for attendance and service at football matches and other such gatherings, all that had been received from the controlling authori■ies being out of pocket expenses. He was sure that mothers were grateful to the nursing sisters for their attendance at various gatherings. The Association had been working for a long time to inaugurate a free ambulance service, as previous speeches of officers of the Association would disclose. It was wrong, therefore, to suggest that the Association was launching the movement by way of opposition to another organisation. Jt had been stated that the service would be abused. Of course it would in some instances, but ; t should be remembered that there were abuses in all services.

Mr A. Williams said that the members of the Association were out to work for suffering humanity and they needed financial assistance to enable them to go ah cad. Accident Cases. Mr G. Peek stated that the Association and Brigade attended 28,523 accident cases in New Zealand in 1928, and 36,226 cases in 1929. In 1929 there were 1058 cases carried by ambulances in Christchurch and this year prior to October, when free service was given, the number of cases v.'as 1164. Regarding the criticism levelled against the proposal by the Riccarton Borough Council, the speaker said that the borough spent hundredß of pounds yearly in fighting fires, yet apparently it had neither the time nor the money to save lives. Mr A. C. Brethcrton said that if there was not sufficient support forthcoming for a free service then the cost of ambulance treatment must be met out of rates.

Colonel Dawson, Assistant-Medical Officer of Health, stated that the increase of motor traffic was responsible for a corresponding increase of accidents and this was a matter which was causing the Association the greatest concern. He appealed to business men to assist the movement. Committees Appointed. On the motion of Dr. Borrie, seconded by Colonel Dawson, it was decided that those present should form themselves into a committee with power to add to their number.

Mr W. A. Carpenter (Mt. Herbert) suggested that doctors should go into outside districts and train students in first aid treatment. If this were done he was sure that the people in the districts concerned would take a keener interest in the movement and be induced to give financial assistance. Mr Williams was elected chairman of the committee and Mr A. C. Bretlierton vice-chairman.

Mr J. W. Crampton was elected secre tary.

The following executive was set up: —The Mayoress (Mrs J. K. Archer), Mrs N. Kodger, Dr. Thomas, Messrs Williams, Crampton, Bretherton, and E. Philpott Crowther.

In answer to Mr McCully, the chairman stated that the other organisation which had also proposed the inauguration of a free ambulance service was being conducted by private individuals, whereas the St. John Ambulance was a recognised public body. Mr G. F. Wright (Malvern) suggested that addresses should be given in country districts concerning the movement. He was informed that such was proposed as part of the campaign.