BRITISH RED CROSS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1922, Page 6

BRITISH RED CROSS.

PEACE TIME ACTIVITIES. ADDRESS AT COMMUNITY CLUB. A very interesting address on the Red Cross movement was given at the New Plymouth Community Club on Monday night by Dr. E. M. L. Morgan, peace time organiser of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross. Dr. Morgan outlined the growth of the Red Cross movement, and showed how it had developed during the Great War, at the conclusion of which the various organisations had adapted themselves for the peace-time work of the prevention of disease, betterment of health and mitigation of suffering. The war-time organisations had been federated into one league comparable to the League of Nations, 45 nations being affiliated at the present time, while one person out of every 30' in the world was a member of a branch of the society.

Dr. Morgan then went on to speak of 'the Junior Red Cross, which was an outcome of the children s desire during the war to participate in Red Cross work. The Junior “Red Cross was a world movement ‘by children for world betterment, and their special aim was for health, service, and friendliness between the children of other countries. The movement was a very potent force in training for citizenship. Dr. Morgan told of the work being done by children in New Plymouth, Wellington, land. Australia as members of the Junior Red Cross, while he mentioned that great good, was being accomplished by members corresponding with others in various parts of the world. More tangible work was being done bv the Junior Red Cross in America, which had established a farm in France for training French orphans in farming •pursuits, while they had also sent 40,000 tables and chairs' to Belgium as a slight aid in the reconstruction of that .country. In Sydney the children were J managing tea rooms, and devoting the proceeds towards assisting blinded soldiers. Dr. Morgan, who was listened to with close attention bv the territorials on parade, concluded by pointing out that by die training they were receiving, the territorials and senior cadets were being taught all that went to make for good citizenship, and he wished them every success.

IDEALS AIMED AT. GIVING THE WORLD HEALTH. MEETING AT OMATA. An address on the peace-time activities of the Red Cross was given in the Omata Hall last night by Dr. E. M. Morgan. The chair was occupied by Mr. A. J. Luxton, and‘there was a fairly large attendance of the public from the township and surrounding districts, who listened with close attention to the lecturer’s remarks. Dr. Morgan said that instead of -demolishing the army of millions of workers, who during the war gave their brains, their time and their money in the service of Red Cross organisations throughout the world, it was determined to utilise this force in order to build up a universal institution which should make a healthier, cleaner and happier world. With this great aim in view, the League of Red Cross Societies of 42 countries, was founded in May. 1919. It was essential to bear in mind that this event marked a new epoch in the history of the Red Cross, which, instead of being identified with the care of prisoners and wounded, had now a. wider meaning and a greater

task to accomplish. One of the principal objects of the League, which, though having the approbation of the different Governments was an absolutely non-governmental, non-political and non-denominational institution, was the expansion of national Red Cross Societies with a view to fighting disease in all its forms. For this purpose it had organised, at its headquarters in Geneva, a staff of medical experts drawn from various countries, who were in touch with scientists and sanitary engineers the world over. For the first time in its history, civilised humanity as a whole had declared relentless war against disease, famine and other devastating forces which were working for its downfall, and m tins fivht the League of Red Cross Societies served as general headquarters to direct the campaign. The Red Cross Society to-day, DrMorgan continued, had a wonderful ideal", and faith and effort could carry it to reality. Its peace-time mission was to save lives and to help the suffering exactly as it did on the battlefield/ It could ward off disease from their children and could ward contagion and pestilence from the community and protect them all. The membership enrolment was a world-wide reminder to everyone who had ever helped the Red Cross, and was a call to all to renew allegiance to it in its effort to better the "condition of humanity at Home, throughout the Dominion, and all over the worhl. „ , , . .

At the conclusion of his interesting address, Dr. Morgan received a hearty vote of thanks.