THE RED CROSS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 8

THE RED CROSS

GREAT WAR WORK ANNUAL MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTRE.. The annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of tho New Zealand Red Cross was held at the rooms, Mercer street, last night, Mrs T. Young (chairman) presided over a good attendance. Apologies were received from Colonel Collins, Colonel McGavin. Mrs J. B. Finlay, and Mrs H. Adams. A letter was read from Sir James Allen acknowledging a copy of the report and speaking in praise of _the work of the society. Mr Young, in presenting the annual report, stressed the point that there was still much work to bo done for men in hospital in New Zealand. Ho called attention to the balance-sheet, which showed that .£31,470 had been sent to England last year and -£SCOO spent in New Zealand, while the year closed with a balance of about A 72.000. Tbis had been greatly reduced since then, large sums being spent already for hospital® in New Zealand. The amount received through tho Copper 'Trail scheme amounted to JE97.258 13s 2d. The Red Cross bad agreed, to assist the Government with regard ’to l the vocational training of men. helping with erecting temporary buildings, supplying tools, etc. 'The Red Cross Club at 'iTentham was nearly completed and would be opened by the Gov-ernor-General (president of the New Zealand Council).

The report and balance-sheet were seconded hr Mrs J. P. Luke and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The rule governing representation on tho committee was amended as follows : Each centre shall appoint a women's committee, which shall consist "of a pr» flident. vice-president, secretary. treasurer and committee of women who shall. attend to the general business of tho centre, also an executive committee elected by the society at each annual meeting which shall consist of women and men and they shall attend to the finance organisation of tho whole district and shall appoint their own chairman The following were appointed women's committee President. Mrs J. P. Luke, C.8.E.; vice-presidents, Mrs W. F. Massey, C.8.E.. Lady Ward. C.8.E., Mrs W. Nathan, and Miss Coates. 0.8. E.; members. Mesdamea Baltrop, L. Blundell, M. Myers. A. E. Pearce, J. P. Firth, H. Hose, J. Joseph, G. Bhirtoliffe, Fuller, Tripp, A. Crawford, M.8.E., F. _ Townsend. Rennie, Dumbell, J. S. Elliott, J. L. Morrison, H. Seaton. W. H. S. Moorhouse, 0.8. E.. J. Mackenzie. Herron, D. W. Duthie, E. Dymock, Willis, QiU, Aston, Moore, J. B. Finlay, and Misses Davidson, Archibald, and Smith; executive. Mr T. Young (chairman), Messrs A. Veitch. G. Shirtcliffe, D. McLaren, H. L. Nathan. W. AUon. J. W. Bridge; C. H. Sevillf. T. Munt. L. Tripp.O.B.B., S. F. Wright, T. Bush, J. B. Hackworth, F. Holmes, and A. Hamilton, and Mrs J. P. Luke. C. 8.8.. and Mrs W. Nathan, Mr J. P. Firth, Mr H. Adams, Mrs A. B. Pearce. Mrs Blundell. Mrs Elder, Mrs Moorhouse, 0.8.8., Mrs M. Myers. ADDRESS BY GENERAL RICHARDSON. Major-General Richardson. C. 8., C. C. 8.8., attended the meeting, and spoke of the work, the Red Cross had done for the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force. The two organisations which had done most for the soldiers were the Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. As representing the New -Zealand soldiers be thanked (ho Red Cross for its help, which had made his work in E!ngland easy. Unfortunately, quite early in the war tho enemy had failed to show tho proper respect for the Red Cross, which prevented it doing everything it might have, but tho fact that the nation was not prepared for war on such a large scale had given the Red Cross the opportunity to expand,, and the Government had readily accepted its help and early in 1915 it had established hospitals, ambulances, etc. When ha had been recalled to England ho had found New Zealand represented solely by the War Contingent Association, which was performing two functions, and doing the work well. He had always wished New Zealand to have its own Red Cross charter, and in the later -stages, with the assistance from New Zealand, had been able to establish the Red Cross in cite proper functions and let the War Contingent Association look after the fit men. He hoped the Red Cross would combine with the St. John Ambulance and have one central organisation at Wellington, with detachments at each large centre divided into sections, so that every town and hamlet would have its own Red Cross workers, with proper uniforms, properly trained women en rolled, under its own charter. They had established uniforms in England, with N.Z. emblazoned on the sleeve, and a badge representing what ho had hoped would b© the detachment to which the worker belonged. Had ho been in a position to do so he would have urged this establishment at the commencement of the war. Then New Zealand would have had its own commissioner and depots (such as wore established at Southampton when Mr B. Tripp went to England), proper transport and uniform. In. France, transport; touring car and motor lorries, and in Egypt, smaller depots. General Richardson urged that this establishment- be now organised and maintained, as being very valuable for assistance in pence (it could co-operate with tho Health Department), and as being ready for any emergency. He could assure tho committee that- the money sent Heme had been well spent. Even when men were scattered all over England in hospitals they, had been well cared for, and in this connection Mr Raymond had done excellent work. He also paid a tribute to the New Zealand women in England. No sick or wounded soldiers had been better cared for than the New Zealanders. His policy had been to have Now Zealand hospitals where possible, and Walton, Bvockenhurst, Codford and smaller camp hospitals had been established, and men moved to these when possible. Money, sent for the motor ambulance had not always been so spent,' it being his policy only to spend on what was absolutely essential. However, a large number were bought) and he urged that these should be secured in organising tho Red Cross throughout the country. The work in France extended to looking after New Zealand men in British Hospitals. The visiting had been done by the chaplains. Now Zealanders were taken to Boulogne for transhipment to England or distributed in hospitals throughout France, and afterwards taken to a convalescent camp at Staples. In Egypt they had provided the Aotea Home, and had looked after men in other' hospitals. New Zealand had had no depot in Franco or Egypt as he Would have wished. When it was suggested to establish one in France it was too Jr.te. They would have liked a Red Cross Commissioner who would have kept in touch with Military Headquarters, and appreciated colonel Rhodes's mission. General Richardson said that at present all efforts by the Red Cross would bo required for tho amelioration of .the conditions of tho sick and wounded. It would take quite two years to settle tho problem of disabled soldiers, and hospitals would have to be maintained. At present he did rot know .what was required, but all sorts of problems arose, and if the Red Cross could supplement what was provided by the Government it was within its rights and its work would be very much appreciated. Ho again ■ thanked members for what they had done for the wounded men. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to General Richardson for his address.