MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2465, 19 May 1915, Page 6

MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE

FROM LORD LIVERPOOL

FULLY EQUIPPED HOSPITAL SHIP FOR OUR MEN

TO SAIL IN THREE WEEKS

PUBLIC TO ASSIST EQUIP THE VESSEL

The following meśage to the people of New Zealand was

1 f f eel that thc time has arrived when I should place certain operation!' 6 y ™ *" h * »-

the p ff b th T rc f wceks my thoughts have, like those of eiyone else in these Islands, been centred on the operations Dominion °f Dardanellos b >' th ° men of this LaTv T?V«J \ TT /f r / ln , rom tellin S y° u tow deeply both bvtnrrnl )f n • Wh ° Se homeS haVG bcen visited by sorrow, 01 who are in grave anxiety for the safetv 0 f those who are near and dear to them. A HOSPITAL SHIP AND MORE NURSES. I doubt if any of us were prepared for the very large number of casualties wnich have occurred, and, realising the strain on those responsible for the medical and hospital arrangements in the Mediterranean, the Prime Minister asked me to telegraph to tho becretary of State, asking whether there was any particular way in which New Zealand could further assist in the care of the sick and wounded. On May ie I received a reply which, while assuring me that adequate arrangements had been made, stated that the provision of a fully -equipped hospita' ship, primarily intended for the conveyance of New Zealanders from the front to base hospitals, which wo u ld also be available for such woik as the Imperial Authorities considered necessary, would bo most welcome at the present juncture. Mr. Harcourt also added that he would be glad if additional nurses could be sent to Malta and Egypt. PEOPLE TO ASSIST TO EQUIP THE SHIP. I feel that we should all like to have a share in this work, and while the cost of hiring, fitting out, and manning a hospital ship has been undertaken by the New Zealand Government, I am writing this letter with the object of asking the people of these Islands if they will assist me to equip her for the great service for which she is required. As the Head of the Order of St. John in New Zealand, I have asked all the four Centres to work solely now for our own men in the Mediterranean, but, in addition, I want to appeal to everyone to assist me, because much will be required not only for the ship, but- for the station hospitals which are shortly leaving these shores, and for the base hospitals at Malta and in Egypt. Bedding, blankets, sheets, pillows, pillow cases, pyjamas, surgical instruments, bandages, medicines, drugs, etc., will all be necessary, some of which will have to bo ordered in England, and in a few days' time I shall hope to publish a complete list of what is required; in the meantime I have telegraphed Homo for full information.

The Dominion has nobly subscribed to the relief of those who, like tho Belgians, are in dire distress, and has up to now sent away upwards of £300,000 in money and kind, which averages out to over £30,000 a month since the beginning of the war, yet lam sure that any appeal for our own people will receive as ready a response as was given on behalf of our distressed Allies. NEEDS OF THE MEN IN THE FIGHTING LINE, While making this appeal on behalf of the sick and wounded, it must not be forgotten that the needs of those in tho fighting line are equally pressing, and for this reason I trust that those who have so ably assisted Her Excellency and her committees in the past will not slacken in their efforts to provide every comfort for our troops at present at the front, and'those who will bo leaving our shores from time to time. I .shall be glad if those who wish to assist me will pay any contributions in money into any branch of the Bank of Ntw Zealand, and at the same time forward the bank receipt to Mr. J. Hislop, Undcr-Sccretary, Department of Internal Affaiis, Wellington, stating the object to which tho money is to be devoted. Any gifts in kind should bo sent to any of the secretaries of- the four centres of the Order of St. John in New Zealand, whose names and addresses are as follow; — WELLINGTON.—Mr. H. B. Bainbridge, 25 Panama Street. AUCKLAND.—Mr. W. Rattray, Ambulance Station, Rutland Street. CHRISTCHUROH.— Mr. C. J. Treleaven, 119 Worcester Street. v DUNEDIN.—Mr. J. E. Bone, Glen Avenue, Mornington. or to The Honourable Dr. Collins, 32 Hobson Street, Wellington. (Sgd.k LIVERPOOL, Governor. May 18, 1915.