RED CROSS SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 3

RED CROSS SOCIETY

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

REPORT ON YEAR’S WORK Ths annual conference of the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John was held in the Bed Cross Chambers, Dixon Street, on Thursday. The Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins, chairman of the New Zealand Executive, presided, and the following representatives from the four centres were present:—Auckland Centre, Mrs. A. M. Ferguson, Miss J. E. Murray, M.8.E., Hon. George Fowlds, C.8.E.; Wellington Centre, Mrs. J. P. Luke, C.8.E., Mrs. W. Nathan, Mrs. H R Clark, Mrs. W. J. Martin, Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P.: Canterbury Centre, Mrs. H. F. Wigram, 0.8. E., Mrs. H. H. Smith, Mr. B. Tripp, M.8.E., Mr. J. A. Flesher. 0.8. E., Col. Cresswell; Otago Centre, Mr. D. Cuthbertson, Mr. C. B. Smith. The following officers were elected: — President, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. K.8.E.; chairman of New Zealand Executive Committee, Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins. C.M.G. ; vice-presidents, Mr. J. H. Gunson, C.B.E. (Auckland), Mr. ,T. A. Flesher, 0.8. E. (Canterbury), Rev. V. G. Bryan King, 0.8. E. (Otago), Wellington: Ono to be appointed by the centre: New Zealand Executive Committee, the President, the four vice-presi-dents, the chairman of the executive. Mrs. J. P. Luke, C.B.E. (New Zealand Council), Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp, 0.8. E. /New Zealand Council), and one representative from each centre; secretary, Mr. W. E. Chisholm.

A cablegram was received from Miss Fitzgerald (director. Nursing Division of the League of Red Cross Societies, Geneva), asking whether the New Zealand Red Cross would send a representative to attend the next London Session fn connection with public health training. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Fowlds, seconded by Mr. Flesher, the meeting approved the principle of sending a nurse to .England, the details being left to the New Zealand Executive to arrange.

A Christchurch remit regarding the supply of- cigarettes, etc., to soldier patients' in civil hospitals, was considered. The conference resolved: "That bach centre act in conjunction with the matron in distributing comforts, including tobacco and cigarettes requisitioned by the matron for soldiers in civil hospitals."

Four thousand negatives of overseas soldiers’ graves having been received by the Defence Department, it was agreed that the society would undertake the cost of having these printed. .Advice having been received that file British Red Cross Society was issuing medals for Red Cross war workers who had received no other decoration, it was resolved that the executive commnncate with the British Red Cross authorities to obtain all particulars.

Supply of clothing to discharged soldiers wns discussed, and it was decided that one complete set of underclothing bo supplied, but that each centre be allowed to use its own discretion in regard to extras. ANNUAL REPORT OF SOCIETY. Following are excerpts from the annual report;— "As was to be expected, the number of patients in the military hospitals and sanatoria has appreciably decreased during the year. At’the present time there are 810 patients throughout ihe Dominion. Tn addition there are at present 224 soldier patients being treated in civilian hospitals. Owing to the dimin.ishing number of patients, several of the vocational workshops have bec'n closed, and the patients transferred to other hospitals. There is however, still a good deal to be done for many of ths remaining patients, and it will L'e probably necessary to keep several of these hospitals open for some considerable time yet.

"Contributions amounting to .£3541 6s. 6d. have been made from headquarters funds since last report, towards the erection of workshops, sanatoria, and recreational rooms and equipment. The contributions by the society towards similar works, for the previous two years amounted to .£16.678 13s. Gd.. making a grand total of .£20.220, allocated towards vocational and functional training.

"At the instance of the War Funds Department an arrangement has been made between the Red Cross Society, the Y.M.C.A., and the Salvation Army, in order to save overlapping expenditure in connection with the supply of comforts, etc., at military hospitals, as follows, viz.: (a) That the work of the Bed Cross,' TALC. A., and Salvation Army dealings with siek and wounded soldiers he in future carried on under the auspices of the Bed Cross. <T>) That the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army carry on their prerent activities under the Bed Cross and receive payment therefrom, (c) That the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation .‘.Tiny prepare budgets covering a period of two years and the amount, of the«e budgets to he paid info the Central Fund of the Bed Cross Society from the War Funds of the above-named, and that subsequent requirements lx* drawn from the National War Fund Council, who will pay over the amounts required every month. The Y.M.C.A. has already paid into th” Bed Cross account the sum of «£lO 000 for the above purpose, and has drawn -£1.500 as an imprest. A sub-committee, consisting of one member of the executive of file Bed Cross Society rind one member of the Y.M.C.A. Committee is to eheck these accounts quarterly. Tho Salvation Army is to nay in .£30(1).” Printed along with the annual report were copies of two letters—one from the Director of Vocational Training (Mr. AV. A. Penlington) and (he other from tho Director-General of Medical Services (Brigadier-General D. M'Gavin) —expressing appreciation of the society’s work. The report was adopted.