TO FIGHT DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 204, 24 May 1920, Page 2

TO FIGHT DISEASE

A COMBINE OF NATIONS, , Maroh, 1320, will mark an epoch in the history of human progress, for it was then that ,for the first time civilised nations deoided to undertake an orgonis. Ed crusade against disease and _ all the social and' physical evils with which man has to contend, At Geneva, where over half a,century «K° Henry Dunant first proclaimed tho gospol of chanty on the battlefield and founded the International Red Cross, the of 27 nations assembled to decided on a plan of campaign. • ... . This mooting had been called 'by the League of Eed Cross Societies whose headquarters are in Geneva. Of the 30 names on the leaguo's roll call, onty three failed to send representatives, owing to the distance and laok of tune. One of tho most largely represented, though, one of tho most distant, wafl the lied Cross Society of New Zealand, which'sent five delegates—the maximum number of, any delegation present at tho oonier©ncs, • A , The object of this conference, or to give it its official name, tho First General. Council of tho League of lied Cross Societies, was to put into practice the proeramme which nad been drawn up at tho , Medical Conference at Cannes, where in April last year leading men- of science from all parts of tho world had e.vohec plans for the general co-operation of all Red Cross and other relief societies to combat disease- and generally alleviate suffering, especially in Central and Eastmeeting of the Genoral Council, which was called to order on March 2 by Mr. Hennv P. Davison, chaifipan ■of tho Board of Governors, held its. meetings at tho Town Hall, which been placed at the disposal of the delegates by the City of Goneva. n The questions discussed by the conference were twofold, the. means of ing," and combating. disease, and the < method of organisation for this camnaiirn. While thq medical section discussed topics, such as h,^9"l° s >s. welfare, malaria, venereal diseases, sanitation, etc., tho organisation section studied the problem of n )ofis lmrsliin and resources of Keu wore socieHM An outstanding- feature of,this discussion was the spirit of optimism aiS self-reliance of the New Zealand .Myites: which was especially emphasisS bvMr C F. Bickford. The decisions! Si at from these debates were then m,t into tho form of resolutions and voted at the plenary sessions. On a direct appeal from tho League nf Nations, the conferenco decided to take, immediate steps for the relief o the afflicted nations in Central and East--61 Besides''the (ielegates of the various fled Cross societies, representatives of the International Ikd Cross Coimmttco of Geneva, headed by Mr- G»sta\o Ador, the chairman, and of the League of Nations attended .the General Council, which closed on Marcj 8»