RED CROSS GOODS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 275, 9 August 1918, Page 3

RED CROSS GOODS

SHORTAGE OP SHIPPING SPACE.

A meeting of tho Wellington Women's Eed Cross Committee was held in the depot in Mercer. Street yesterday. There were present; Mrs. W. P. Massey (in the chair), Headlines Mackenzie, I 1 inlay,. Barltrop, kose, Morison, Seaton, Rmndell, ShirtcliiVe, Nathan, Joseph, Vripp, Miss Davidson, Miss Coates, and tho hon. secretary iMiss Sybil Nathan). An apology was received from tho Mayoress (Ads. J. p. Luke). A letter of thanks was received from Captain White on behalf of the Auzac Wireless Squadron, announcing the safe arrival at Bagdad of 37 cases of gift goods, including butter, milk, extract of meat, and foods generally, tho ixmsignment being greatly appreciated. _ A letter received from the officer in charge of tho New Zealand branch or the British Eed Cross Society 6tated that owing to tho exigencies of the shipping between New Zealand aiid Eurjpe gift goods had not been getting away from New Zealand as promptly as in the p_ast, and there was a considerable accumulation of Ked Cross and o.her goods in "X" 6hed.

The executive had been fully alive to the interests of Red Cross workers, and had done what they could to get as much space as passible," but the authorities, whilst showing an appreciation of the efforts of Red Cross workers, pointed out that tho shipment of wool and foodstuffs had to be curtailed to a very great extent, and that tho spaco allotted for gift goods from time to time was all that could possibly be spared. It was pointed out that the shipments and transport from New Zealand were under tho control of the Imperial Government, and the authorities here were in communication wiih the Prime Minister, who was in London, and who Would do what could bo done at that end. In the meantime the Minister of Internal Affairs had arranged for 150 tons of gift.goods to be dispatched within the next two or threo< weeks, but it was impossible to say at prpsent what could be done in the near future. o A later letter which was received from the acting-officer-in-charge stated that th'e Government had been making arrangements to send forward a considerable portion of accumulated Red Cross goods at au early date, but that arrangements for the future were uncertain. It was thercfore\better for Red Cross centres to hold goods in store until arrangements could bo made for their certain transport. After some discussion upon the state of affairs, the following resolution was passod: "That all cut-out garments be made up, but no further cutting-out be done. As each department finishes its work it be considered advisable that the depot close down until futuro arrangements allow of its being reopened." 11 was reported that the Red Cross stall on Violet Day made .£lB9 Is. 9d., including the proceeds of tho raffles. It was decided that at the Italian market which is to be held within a few weeks',time the tea stall should be in the charge' of the committee, and that the Mayoress's Entertainment Committee be asked to assist, A motion of sympathy to Mrs, Elder in her recent loss was passed by the meeting.