RED CROSS WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1922, Page 4

RED CROSS WORK.

ACTIVITY IN PEACE TIME. MUCH TO BE DONE. LOCAL BRANCH TO CONTINUE. The adjourned annual meeting of the New Plymouth sub centre of the British Red Cross Society was held last night, there being an attendance of about 14 members, over which the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presided. The annual report and balance sheet, already published, were adopted. The Mayor then introduced Mr. M. S. Galloway, the secretary of the Wellington centre. On behalf of the New Zealand executive and Wellington centre, Mr. Gallow’ay extended thanks for the valuable services given by the New Plymouth sub-centre during the years of the war and since. The Red Cross Society, he said, was devoted to the work of men who had sustained injuries in the war. Some said that Red Cross work was now unnecessary, but this was rather an unreasonable attitude, though he appreciated the fact that some had now other interests. He felt, however, that responsibility to the country was greater now than before the war, because of the great number of conflicting interests. There were 800 ex-soldiers still under treatment to-day, and there was a very great need to safeguard their interests ia these days, when ,the sentiment associated wfch the war was dying. Supply of clothes, fruit and extra comforts had been provided throughout the past year. In addition, the peace time committee were caring for children, 300 in number, who were suffering from infantile paralysis; whilst 200 more were awaiting treatment. Grants for this purpose were being made and renewed from time to time, to provide fruit, recreation, outings, etc.

THE SOCIETY’S TASKS. The speaker traced briefly the history of the Red Cross, which, he said, originated in 1859, and had continued to grow. Today it embraced 45 different nations. Its threefold objects were; Prevention of disease, the promotion of health, and the mitigation of suffering. The society strove to obtain permanent peace, and had a mandate from. the League of Nations. Still there was the possibility of war, and the Red Cross intended to preserve the nucleus of an organisation. It was their duty to see that returned men who were breaking down in health had their interests conserved. Again, there was the possibility of epidemics breaking out, when the Red Cross could do useful work. The hygienic conscience should be awakened in all countries, not only in our own. Though New Zealand is immune, he said, we had learned how interdependent we were, both in an economic and a health sense. There was no desire to merge other similar bodies; unselfish co-ordination was wanted, and there should be no misunderstanding. He dispelled any idea of animosity towards the St. John Ambulance Association. The Red Cross was a lay organisation and could do work which a Charitable Aid Board or similar body could not do. Before peace-time work could be taken up, funds were needed. These could be raised by “drives,” promoting membership, street sales, and the like. The takings, for instance, in Wellington last year were £2OOO, and a large number of members bad been'enrolled. The idea was to start with the young and thus strengthen national character. The Junior Red Cross had originated in Canada in 1914, for securing the comfort of men in hospital and in the field, and the Canadian Red Cross to-day numbered 60,000. America had taken up the work' their membership now being over eleven millions. Through the children’s subscriptions 38 staffs were being employed in the devastated areas in France. Their expenditure last year was one million dollars (£200,000j. The junior members in other places included: The United Kingdom, 40,000; Australia, 30,000; China, 14,000; Norway, 45,000; Hungary, 25,000; Poland, 70,000.

DEVELOPMENT OF WORK. Mr. Galloway made a plea that Red Cross work should not be allowed to lapse. A set of slides had been secured from America in order to promote health talks and awaken the sense of responsibility towards community health. All people were cooperating, and the Labor people were giving valuable assistance in Wellington. There was enough suffering, even in New Zealand, to justify the work. Two nurses were being trained in England for each island, and it was hoped to increase the number shortly for giving demonstrations and lectures. Travelling clinics would be established here later, especially for work in the backblocks. Overlapping of activities would be overcome by means of a joint council, which would, he believed, he a reality before long, whereby both the Red Cross and the St. John Association would be able to act unitedly, though preserving their separate identities. Above everything, the speaker stressed the fact that there was still a duty to be performed. There was a great need and a great scope for Red Cross work.

Dr. Leatham thought peace-time work should be carried on. In the light of Mr. Galloway’s address, it would be a pity to allow the work to lapse. Officers were then elected as follow:--Patron, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) ; president, Mr. A. B. Gibson; vice-presidents, Archdeacon Evans and another to be elected ; secretary, Miss Henderson; treasurer,. Mr. H. A. Stratford; committee, Mesdames Martin, Stewart-Russell, Bartley, Gibson, and Miss Perey-Smith, with power to add; auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Medley for his valuable services, and to Mr. Gibson (the retiring secretary), for his efforts all through the war period up to the present time. Appreciation of the address given by Mr. Galloway was expressed by Dr. Leatham, and a vote of thanks was passed.