FUNDS FOR SICK AND WOUNDED

Southland Times, Issue 24836, 31 August 1942, Page 2

FUNDS FOR SICK AND WOUNDED

SEPARATE APPEAL ' WANTED A resolution urging that authority be given for separate appeals for the sick and wounded and the fighting forces was passed at a meeting of the Southland Centre of tire Red Cross Society. The question was raised in a remit from the Walrio branch, it being stated that donations would be given more freely in an appeal purely for the sick and wounded. It was reported that the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) had given an opinion that the “all purposes” appeal did not contravene the Convention of Geneva. That opinion had been submitted to London headquarters of the Red Cross for a ruling. Several speakers expressed the view that it was desirable that the Joint Council of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John should be permitted to conduct its own appeal for the sick and wounded. Under the existing laws governing the Red Cross members could not ally themselves with an appeal for funds which would be devoted largely to the fighting forces. “We are still having a certain amount of trouble and publicity, which is unfortunate,” said the chairman (Mr J. D. Campbell) at the opening of the meeting. “It seems to be levelled principally at the Red Cross which is regrettable. We are not in any way contravening the international laws of the Red Cross. They are the product of all the countries which are parties to the Red Cross and we must keep within them whatever other countries may do. My own opinion is that money is wanted in many directions and it is unfortunate that some people should be given the opportunity through dissension for not contributing." HELP FOR HOME GUARD Mrs J, D. Speirs recommended that the utmost assistance in medical supplies be given to the Home Guard. If the Home Guard was called out to defend coastal areas it was desirable that it should be well equipped with medical requirements. Mrs D. K. Torrance reported that the centre had supplied 564 woollen garments valued at £2OO for prisoner-of-war parcels. The centre was becoming short of wool and the question whether more should be purchased should be considered. It was explained that these garments were supplied for parcels from next of kin who had been unable to provide woollen goods. The Red Cross could not undertake to supply goods for all prisoners of war because there were 380 from Southland. It was decided to buy an additional supply of wool. Letters of thanks were received from a repatriated prisoner of war for a parcel of woollen comforts supplied to him on his arrival at Invercargill, from a soldier for visits paid to him while he was a patient at Kew hospital and for transport to the railway station, and from camp officers for comforts provided for the troops. CONVALESCENT HOME Mrs F. G. Hall-Jones expressed the opinion that it was desirable that a convalescent home should be established in Southland. So many sick and wounded soldiers were returning that a convalescent home was really necessary. It was decided that the executive should make inquiries into the matter and make representations to the authorities. It was decided to recommend sub-centres to make contributions to the disaster relief fund, it being suggested that a total of £5O should be subscribed from Southland. Mrs R. Brownlie reported that the transport section had two units totalling 16 cars. All the drivers had first-aid certificates and heavy traffic licences and some had passed mechanics' examinations. The section had had a busy time transporting sick and wounded soldiers to and from hospital. Trains were met when troops were returning from overseas and the men were conveyed to their homes. Mrs R. C. Knight reported that 110 soldier patients had been visited at Kew hospital during July and supplied with cigarettes, tobacco, library books, clothing articles, toilet articles and other comforts. The soldiers had been most appreciative of visits and comforts. A recommendation to the executive to make a-donation to the Southland branch of the Crippled Children Society towards the cost of transport was carried.