THE RED CROSS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3053, 14 April 1917, Page 11

THE RED CROSS

The very enterprising people who are conducting what is known as .the Red Dross Art Union might with advantage to the cause they are seeking to assist have'emphasised «ven move than they have done what the Red Cross organiBation's work means to our. troops in the fighting lines. It is true that mention 'has been made of the ambulances, cars, wagons, travelling soup kitchens, etc.. which the society has in use at the front, and some indication' has been given of the noble work which has been done in alleviating the lot of our wounded soldiers, and, in'thousands of cases, in saving life as well. But whatever has been said of the work of the Red Cross Society gives biit a poor idea of tho service it has rendered and-is still rendering to the brave men who are fighting our battles. Tho cost at which it'carTies out its work is one of the marvels of the war, its administration having beqn brought to a stage of perfection that has won the unstinted admiration of so searching a critic as Lord Northcliffe. Its funds probably are more .economically administered than those of any organisation with which.it can'be compared, which is a matter of very great importance in these' days when, donors are becoming properly careful of the manner in which their contributions 'are likely to be handled. However good the cause, it is always liable to' fail to produce a liberal response from the public unless there is some assurance that the money contributed will be wisely handled and expended. Contributors to the Red Cross Society can rely on their money being turned to the best possible account, and the organisers of the Red Cross Art Union are following the admirable example 6et them by the society in keeping the expenses connected with their effort down to a, low figure. .The prizes have all been generously donated by Taihape fanners, and the ta6k of disposing of the art union tickets, on tho sale of-which the success of tho enterprise depends, is being carried out at a minimum of cost. . The proposal to cable' to England the money realised should be an incentive to many people to lend their assistance, for it will mean that funds will be -immediately available for extendng the work of the Red Cross Society amongst our own troops at a time when such service will be of the greatest value. A special effort will be made during the next few days to bring th« art union to a successful conclusion, and the cause to which the raonev is to be devoted will no doubt tempt' many to assist who do not altogether approve of this art nnion method of rnisivg funds.