THE FRENCH APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 2

THE FRENCH APPEAL

A GENEVA. CONVENTION INTERPRETATION. At yestorday's meeting of the French Day Appeal Committee Mrs. Masi;ey rend -i letter which had been received from the Wellington Red Cross Committee in reply to a request for its assistance with the French appeal, which was for the French Keel Cross and the French refugees. On behalf of . the committee tho writer stated that the latter body regretted that it was not ablo as an organisation to assist in the appeal, as according (0 the Geneva Convention the New Zealand Red Cross Society could collect funds only whon they wero to bo used for }{ed Cross purposes solely. As individual members they wore sympathetic.! (0 the cause, . and would willingly give their help.

The letter provoked some comment, and doubt was expressed as to the correctness of the interpretation that had been given to the Geneva Convention ruling. It was pointed out by Mrs. Seville that the Geneva Convention had not prevented the Australian Ra[ Cross organisation from giving largely to the French Red Cross and Refugee Fund. Ilml thoy known the reason of the society's attitude, an attitude which tho French Committee deeply regretted, other arrangements might lrnve been iundo by means of which a stall could have bean siit aside for the- bone-fit of the French Red Cross solely, which perhaps they might have managed. The funds resulting from Friday's appeal were to be divided half for the French It«! Cross and half for the. French refugees—noncombatants both, as they could see.

Mrs. Waters pointed out that a great many workers 111 different organisations were also members of the Red Cross. Thoy had helped every deserving cause that camo along, and thoy, would help the French appeal also.

Mrs. Haiiau said that it was not the Red Cross .Society that had taken thie attitude. It was the executive.

Mrs. Masacy expressed regret that the society had not seen its way to other action, but suelt being the case she thought there was nothing further to be mid in tho matter.