RED CROSS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 199, 18 May 1920, Page 8

RED CROSS CONFERENCE

REPORT BX NEW ZEALAND DELE- , gATE. ; Sir,—The International Conference of tho League of Red Cross Societies ter : minated at Geneva to-day (March, 10). Delogates wore present from twenty-seven nations. The Conference ; was a'great, success, and much enthusiasm was shown. Mr. Waldegrave,' thcNew Zealand Red Cross Commissioner in London, will .post a full, report to th? Central Red Cross. Wellington, but as.l am one of the delegates 1; am writing this, giving tho main points agreed on by the conference, so the people of New Zealand will .understand exactly the objects, of the league. . : . Ist.—The International Committee of tlie Red Cross Societies is for war work only, The. League of Rod. Cross Societies'is for peacfe work., (The British' Red Cross propose to alter their constitution to givo the present committees power to form themselves into International Red. Cross Societies for war work or League of Red Cross Societies for peace, in order to carry out the work of either society.) 2nd.—Finance:, The league* has enough money in hand for at least t,wo years without casing, oh any,country to subscribe. If New Zealand joins t'hs league,' as I. sincerely hope she will, she will be asked in two years' time to find hei quota, which willbe. 6mall. The council have not yet decided on what form this quota shall be fixed. ,' 3id.-The league wish to .leavo tho in--ternal management of Red Crow societies in each country to. themselves to make what arrangements and rules they like. It was suggested privately that each delegate who attended the. Geneva Conference should have a seat on like executive in the country .they reoresent when they return home. .This will help to keep the objects ofthe league, before them. ' . . 4th—One week a year is to be6et aside in every .country for'an appeal for membership of' the lenßue of tlie. Red Cross. This appeal is to be held in* the month of May every year. sth.—The objects'of the 1 league of t.lio Bed Cross are recognised in the covenant of'tbe League of Nations, which reads as follows:—"The members of the League agree, to encourage and prbmoto'the establishment and co-operation of .duly authorised voluntary national Red Cross organisations, having as purposes tho improvement of health, the prevention of disease, and the, mitigation of suffering throughout the world " Gth.—TJw League of the' Red Cross in each country is not to interfere or take over existing 1 societies already working for the benefit of mankind, but to offe" to, help them with finance and organisation. The league is to try and. obtain better living conditions for workers oh land and sea: to look after child welfare; help with district nurses. In fact, tilipy are to hike up any. object that they think will he a benefit to humanity' in all the countries of, the world. ; I feel sure I am expressing the sentiments of every delegate who. was present at the Geneva Conference when I say tlie League of the Red Cross will do more to promote i?ood feeling between nations, do away with class feeling, and prevent future wars than any scheme that has ever been suggested in the history of the world.—T am. etc.. BERNARD TRIPP, New Zealand Delegate at Geneva Red Cross Conference. '