MISS E. M. KING SPEAKS AT RED CROSS MEETING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 52, 24 November 1937, Page 12

MISS E. M. KING SPEAKS AT RED CROSS MEETING

A short but most interesting talk was given last evening at the meeting of the Hastings Red Cross Society by Miss E. M. King, M.B.E., of Napier, who was the Hawke's Bay delegate to the reeent meeting of the New Zealand Red Cross Society Couneil in Wellington and so had the pleasure of meeting Mr Lewis de Gielgud, under-secretary general for the League of -Red Cross Societies in Paris, who visited New Zealand. Before commenenig to spealc about Mr de Gielgud, Miss King compiimented the Hastings sub-centre on their successful year and also added that she was pleased to see the members of St. John's Ambulance Assoeiation present, saying that she was a member of the Great War Funds Administrative Committee with 12 representatives of the Red Cross Society and 12 from .the St. Johns Ambulance Assoeiation. She hoped that the two organisations would work side by side not only in Hawke's Bay but in the whole of New Zealand. "I was most fortunate in being the Hawke's Bay delegate to attend the welcome given in Wellingto for Mr aud Mrs de Gielgud," said Miss King. "At the civie reception they received a most wonderful welcome and speeehes were made by Mr T. Hislop, the Mayor of Wellington, the Hon. Peter Fraser, on behalf of tfie Government, Mr Chapman, of the Wellington Red Cross, and Mrs T. H. Lowry, Dominion president of the New Zealand Red Cross Society. "TI e civie reception was held in the morning and in the afterhoon the Red Cross Society gave a welcome which was attended by tbe Governor-Generd and Lady Galway," coutinued tho speaker. "At this reception each delegate spoke and I assured Mr de Gielgud that he would receive a warm welcome from Hawke's Bay whare the people were grateful for the £.4000 which they received from the Internatioral Red Cross after the earthquake. "At this gathering Mr de Gielgud made many suggestions which I liave brought baek to the committee of the Hawke's Bay centre and which I hope will bear fruit." Miss King told of the wonderful way in which Mrs T. H. Lowry escorted the visitors all over the South Island and everywhere that Mr de Gielgud spoke he gave much useful help and know-

ledge. He told them that the Japanese Red Cross was one of the best organised in the world, that they had 23 Red Cross hospxtals with 7000 regular nurses and 1500 pupil nurses taken on each year. China, however, was not so well equipped and that was the rea son why it is hoped to help them especially by the Far East Relief Fund appeal. The speaker said that Mr de Gielgud received word from headquarters when he arrived in New Zealand to hold himself in readmess for a sudden departuro and as this unfortunately happened he was forced to cancel his visit to Hawke's Bay and was very disappointed. In his farewell message Mr de Gielgud asked the people to xemember .that the Red Cross was for everyone, and not just for their neighbours and thems.elves. He asked them to thinlc internationally' and to give their support to the Far East appeal. Miss King said that last year 91 outfits were sent from Hawke's Bay to Spain instead of the promised 50 and also 354 new odd garments and she asked everyone to make an effort as good as this again to reach the required £10,000 from New Zealand for the present Far East Relief Fund Appeal. Before concluding the speaker expressed the appreciation of the Hawke's Bay exeeutive for the work done by the honorary seeretary, Mr L. T. Roberts.