THE RED GROSS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 6

THE RED GROSS

GREAT WAR WORK ANNUAL MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTRE.. The annual meeting of the Wellington Centro of the 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 tire 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 dono for men in hospital in New Zealand. Ho called attention to the balance-sheet, which showed that .£51,070 had been sent to England last year and JEBOOO spent in New Zealand, while the year closed with a balance of about .£73,000. This had been greatly reduced since then, large sums being spent already for hospitals in New Zealand. The amount received Lnrough tiie Copper Trail scheme amounted lo .£07.358 18s 3d. The Red Cross bad agreed, to assist the Government with regard to the vocational training of men, helping with) erecting temporary buildings, supplying tools, etc. 'The Red Cross Ciub at Trenthuin was nearly completed and would lie opened by,the Gov-ernor-General (president of the New Zealand Council).

The report and balance-sheet were seconded by Mrs J, I’. Luke and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The rule governing representation on the committee was amended as follows: Each centre shall appoint a women's committee, which shall consist of a pre indent, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and committee of women' who shall attend to the general business of the centre. also an executive committee elected by the society at each annual meeting which shall consist of women and men and thev shall attend to the finance organisation of the 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. Mesdames Baltrop, L. Blundell, M. Myers, A. B. -Pearce, J. P. Firth, H. Rose, J. Joseph, G. Ehirtoliiifc, Puller, Tripp, A. Crawford. M.8.E., F. Townsend, Rennie, Dumbell, J, S. Elliott, J. L. Morrison. 11. Seaton. W. H. S. Moorhouse. 0.8. E.. J. Mackenzie, Herron, D. VV. Duthie, E. Dymock, Willis, Gill, Aston, Moore. J. B. Finlay, and Misses Davidson. Archibald, and. Smith; executive. Mr ■T. Young (chairman), Messrs A. Veitch. G. S’hirtcliffe, D. McLaren, H. L. Nathan, W. Allen. J. W. Bridge, C. H. Seville. 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.E.. 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.E., attended the meeting, and evoke of the work the Ked Cross had done for. the New 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 ho thanked the Red Cross for its help, which had. made his work in England easy. Unfortunately, quite early m the war the enemy had failed to show tho proper respect for the Red Cross, which prevented it doing everything it might have, but the fact that tho nation was not prepared fot war on such a large scale had given tho 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 he had been recalled to England he had found New Zealand represented solely by the War Contingent Association, which was performing two functions, and doing tho work well. He had always wished New Zealand to have its own Red Cross charter, and in the later stages, with tho assistance from New Zealand, had been able to establish the Red Cross in its proper functions and let the War Contingent Association look after the fit men. He hoped the Ked Cross would combine with the St. John Ambulance and have one central organisation at Wellington, with detachments at each largo centre divided into sections, so that every town and hamlet would have its own Ked Cross workers, with proper uniforms, properly trained women eu rolled, under its own' charter. Thcy had established uniforms in England, with N.Z. emblazoned on the sleeve, and a badge representing what he had hoped would bo tho 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 tho war. Then New Zealand would have had its own commissioner and depots ■ (such as were established at Southampton when Mr B. Tririp went to England), proper transport and uniform. In 'France, transport, touring car and motor lorries, and in Elgypt smaller depots. General Richardson urged that this establishment be now organised and maintained, as being very valuable for assistance in peace (it could co-operate with the Health Department), and as being ready for any emergency. Ho could assure the committee that the money sent Home 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 bad done excellent work. He also paid a tribute to the New Zealand women in England. No sick dr wounded soldiers had been better cared for than the New Zealanders. His policy had been to have Now Zealand hospitals where possible, and Walton, Brockenhurst, 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, 1 it being his policy only to spend on what was absolutely essential. However, a largo number were bought, and he urged that those should be secured in organising the Red Cross throughout the country. The work in France extended to looking after New Zealand men in British Hospitals. Tho visiting had been done by the chaplains. New 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 hud provided the Aotea Home, and had looked after men in other hospitals. New Zealand had had no depot in France or Egypt- as bo would have wished. When it was suggested to establish one in France it was too Into. They would havo liked a Bed Cross Commissioner who would have kept in touch with Military Headquarters, and apprecratcd Colonel Rhodes’s mission. General Richardson said that at present all efforts by tho Red Cross would be required for tho amelioration of the conditions of the sick and wounded. It would take quite two years to settle the problem of disabled soldiers, and hospitals would have to bo maintained. At present be did rot know what was required, but all sorts of problems arose, and if the Red Cross could supplement what was provided by tho Government it was within its rights and its work would bo 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.