AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE

Chronicle (Levin), 16 April 1947, Page 4

AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE

The Red Cross In Postwar Reconstruction * The world was 1 passing through. a stage' O'f donvalescence afte'r a world war which had bled it of much Of its vitality. SO also had che Red Cross Society, and its ;ask, now was to regain its health so that it could continue at the i previous high pi.tch of activity, . which was just as necessary in peace as in war. In these terms che dirOctor-general Of the N.Z.V.A.D., Miss I. Crooke, addr'essed .ari enthusiastic gatherhig of members of the Levin braneh in the Century Hall yesterday. The stage ,of cohvaieseence was phe- moSt difflcult period of an illness. The. patient might rajjidly regain health artd vitality, or suffer a relapse. It must first be generally realised, hOweve'r, that ihe -Red Cross was more than an orgahisation born for war, but was equally • necessary ' in times , ' of peace, continued the speaker. During this period twothings were assential— patience and vison. By patience she did hot mean just •jitting back and wait'ing. It was necessary for all to work while they waited. The aim for the future was to promote all activi-. ties and create the • conditions' necessary for the maintenanee of peace. No other orgasiisation was more suited for this work than the Red Cross Society, which by its own .laws was pledged to neutrality. "It is our job to help anyone no matter of what political shade," she continued, though this was a fact that many were slow to recognise. "By our avbwed neutrality we are specially qualified to lay the foundation of peace. By disregarding personal prejudices and trying to see through the other person's eyes we can get understanding, and when there is understanding there . must be peace." It was very difficult at times to.- ovefcome personal prejudice. There were a large number of members who did not fully uphold the society's rule of strict neutrality, but these rules had to be adhered to in the same way as members of golf clubs and other bodies were obliged to comply with all the rules laid down for them, MisS Crooke said there were ma'ny members who were quite willing to give donations of food and clothes, with the proviso that it went to relieve distress in Great Britai'm and they were distressed if these goods were sent to Germany. The object and obligation of the society was to send the goods where the need was greatest. It had no right to differentiate. The hearts of everyone in New Zealand were naturally with Great Britain, but that couhtry itseif realised the responsibility it had to uphold in the territory of Jormerr. enemies.,f+ "We, cannot. .take everything away frdm these countries and leave them empty, or someone will rise", "as Hitler did, and give these people something to live for. We can best help Britain by leaving her to decide where the need is greatest." A case had come to her notice recently when a woman in Ai*ckland had sent clothes, including a fur coat, thinkihg that it would be going to Britain. She had later received a letter from a woman in Germany, thanking her for her action, and pointing out that this was the first kind action she had known, from any former enemy. The letter had pointed out the pathetic circumstances under .which this woman and her family were living, and her gratitude must have given the donor considerable personal satisfaction. "The Red Cross organisation can only be strong if we stand united with the object of serving all people, and .this should *be made to override all personal clifEerences." The society was now embarking on a "Save the Children" drive for clothes, continued the speaker. There were 45,000,000 children in Europe, the majoriiy of them orphans, who were desperately needy. They were living among che ruins picking up and stealIng in order . to live. Children such as these couid not be held responsible for war. Reports from the New Zealand teams on conditions in Greece were appalli'ng. China was making desperate appeals for bandages and dressings. CORSO teams from Nev; Zealand were on the way there, and when they were established would set up a receiving depot and -thus ensure delivery and acknowledgment of supplies from this country. When reviewing the other activities of the society, Miss Crooke said that much valuable work was being done in the hospitals. "I^ie establishment of hospital libraries in such establishments which were not already provided for, and the provision of staff to run it, and a book binding section to ensure the books were Hept in repair, was a part of the achievements. She congratulated Levin on its fine effort last Christmas in providing comforts fpr the patients . of ihe Palmerston Nortb Hospital. Tlie effort had been particularly out-' stariding last yeai\ She proposed nubiicising this effort in , the Red Cross magazinein order that other centres could see what the local society had done. The teaching o*f arts and crafts to- the permanent and chronic cases was another field of actfvity by the Red Cross. "The society has been a trail blazef in many cf these activities, but it is quite willing to get out wheh Other organisations with better e.quipment offer their serviceS, and if we eonsider they can do a bbtter job," she concluded. If the people of Levin as in

other parts of New zealand, would" do all they could to help these unfortunate people thrbughout the world, and . somehow, even in a small way, assist in bringihg about a better condition of affairs, it must have some bearing on future peace, said the Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, when thanking the speaker. "You have given us all ,ood for thought and your address has been an inspiration. It is obvious that the convalescence of the Red Cross will have to be a speedy one."