THE RED GROSS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2637, 7 December 1915, Page 7

THE RED GROSS

—•— ITS GREAT WORK LECTURE BY GENERAL HENDERSON THE CAUSE OF CHARITY At the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last ovening a lecture on tlie British Red Cross Society was delivered by Surgeon-General Henderson (DirectorGeneral of New Zealand Military Services). Hie lecturer was accompanied by Colonels Valintiuo and Purely, and was introduced by the. Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke). The Cause of Kindness. War, said the lecturer, might be a trade of but amongst civilised nations it drew forth many fine qualities which might otherwise become atrophied. It bred patriotism; it, tended to level distinctions (especially social barriers); it gave riso to a splendid spirit of manliness-; and it caused fine acts of splendid sacrifice and hero-' ism to be performed. It also tended to 'heal the ills which flow from prosperity;', and it made a large call upon. the_ humanity and the generositv of a Ration. 1 In this great war the British Red Cross Society held aloft tho cause of kindness, tenderness, human sympathy, and charity, and shewed that these qualities still wore forces which counted in this harsh world. The society might be deemed to have arisen about -the middle of the last century, when the battle of Solfcrino was fought. Dr. Russell, tho correspondent of /the London "Times," and Miss Florence Nightingale drew attention to.tho enormous requirements necessary, if proper and' sufficient medical aid was to be afforded our wounded soldiers ami sailors.. A Geneva resident who witnessed tho pitiable condition of the wounded in war, wrote the "Souvenir of Solfcrino."

A Wave of Sympathy. So successful was his effort that it | aroused .a wave of sympathy, and caused the calling of a Europeon Commission. The Commission was attended by eighteen representative <Statos. They emphasised tlie neetl for voluntary nursos oil; the .field of'battle, and expressed tho opinion that they should bo self-supporting and defended by a Red Cross badge on a; white ground. When the Geneva Convention met in 1864 (the year following tho conference) most of the signatories -would; have nothing to do with the; voluntary nursing movement on tho ground that it was impracticable. However, good work was done by the nurses in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. After'that war, "Tho National League Voluntary Aid Societv" changed its cumbersome namo. The St. John Ambulance bodies cam© into prominence as sooieties willing to be present (it all public gatherings and places o'f danger—willing _to render services to any of the public who might require it, Later, their scope v was extended ,;to allow thorn to render service in war. Good work was:done by tho voluntary workers in 1884, and in 1899-1902 (South Africa). In 1905 a of til ft voluntary bodies as the British Red Cross Society was effected. In times of peace tho Red Cross and the St. John. Socioties worked hand-in-hand, and in. Time 1 of war tho lattor became part of the former. Belligerents had determined to recognise no other form ; of aid. Some, asked why was a Red Cross Society needed' whon there was an Army Medical Service. Well, the Army Medical Service did a good deal, • but .when .the - wounded soldier got a packet of cigarettes/ or a fresh counterpane, he liked to feel that it was an evidence that he wa6 being remembered dt' home andthat not everything he got was merely something' bearing the official stamp. ■General' Henderson mentioned the work of the Red Cross in France in the days of the great retreat towards Paris, and the days of the Battle of the Marne, when wounded at the rate of thousands a day. poured into Boulogne, which had been denuded of hospital equipment. However,' the Red Cross Society, rose to the occasion, and, despite handicaps, performed its huge task' absolutely efficiently. • . '

At the Dardanelles, Respecting the operations at the Dardanelles, the lied Cross had distinguished itself by notable work. Depots had been established, and ' motorlaunches procurod to run to Mudros. .The Red Cross, supplied many things the. War Office did not, aud could not, send out. A State Department (as had been out. elsewhere) was bound by hard and fast rules, but if one wanted'something from the Rod Cross :he only 'had to ask for it. That was one of the'beauties of the society. General Henderson gave ail instance of tho ready dispatch of necessaries by the society. One morning a whole kitchou was requested for Boulogne. That afternoon the complete outfit left England. (Applause.) . The. Red Cross Society was a strong organisation, and embraced the colonial bodies as well as-tho Home bodies. Tho society had many branches. One was for searching out news of the wounded and the dead. Another branch 6aw that prisoners received necessaries and comforts, sent through the American * and Swies Ambassadors. There was, also, the motor organisation for conveying of wounded. At a time like this, when men had to go out to fight, many left behind desired to help. It was the Red Groan Societv which provided an opportunity for the rendition of this help ,to the gallant lads whose - deeds would go down through imperishable memory in the history of tho world. , General Henderson , was heartily thanked for his address'. ■