RED CROSS “OUR DAY” APPEAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 August 1918, Page 4

RED CROSS “OUR DAY” APPEAL.

(To the Editor) In a cqtnmunic.ation which I have received from Field Marshal His Royal Highness,, the, Duke of Connaught, Grand Prior of the Order of St. John, and the Marquess of Lansdowne, of the British Red Cross Society,, it is pointed ,put that the 'disbursements of the Joint Organisation now amount to over £.4,000,000 yearly and that the cost is increasing daily. They therefore appeal to , all parts of the Empire to rally to the call and make it possible for the Organisation to continue its efforts in doing all that is humanly possible to lessen the sufferings of those who are stricken in fighting our ‘battles. His Majesty the King has also expressed a hope “that the Joint Committee wil be enabled until victory is won and the peace of the world assured to maintain without abatement its sacred mission to the wounded, the sick, .and the prisoners whose welfare has our unfailing solicitude and our heartfelt sympathy.”

In New Zealand it has been decided that not only , the money subscribed on the : actual, date, namely, October 24th, hut also all other sums donated during the year to the Parent Organisation, shall be considered as New Zealand’s contribution to the “Our Day” 'Appeal. This arrangement has been decided upon because owing to the many difficulties arising from local conditions it is recognised that collections cannot be arranged to take place simultaneously throughout the Dominion. I am sure I can confidently anticipate that New Zealand will forward a substantial contribution to the Parent Organisation. It has, however, been decided that all Red Cross Funds collected during the year in this Dominion shall be allocated in proportion to requirements under the following headings: (1) The needs of the sick and wounded in New Zealand, including the establishment and maintenance of Functional Treatment, as suggested by the Parent Organisaion .(This obligation increases as the men return.)

(2) The requirements of the New Zealand Committee in Great Britain, which it is anticipated will amount to some £BO,OOO per annum, i (3) The annual contribution to the Parent Organisation in London. (New Zealand contributed about £69,000 last year, but, in view of the special appeal it is hoped to increase that amount this year.) Such a system of allocation should ensure a satisfactory basis for meeting all the obligations of the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John. LIVERPOOL, Governor-General. President of the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, | 9th August, 1918.