RED CROSS ACTIVITY

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 8

RED CROSS ACTIVITY

By Telegraph—Press Association.

AUCKLAND CRITICISMS

Auckland, Last Night. Complaints that the New Zealand Red Cross Society was continuing to collect funds specifically for the relief of sick and wounded despite the large sum already raised for that purpose, were made at a meeting of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council to-night. A motion was carried asking for a Government inquiry into those and other activities considered to be in contravenfcon of patriotic funds regulations. In reporting on a recent conference of provincial council secretaries at Wellington Mr. K. L. Usmar stated that the matter had been discussed there and dissatisfaction had been expressed. Mr. W. Jones, Whangarei, said that in his zone those who were working for the provincial fund were also dissatisfied, and felt the continued activities of the Red Cross in that direction were definitely hampering their own efforts. The chairman, Sir Emest Davis, Mayor of Auckland, remarked that in his opinion the matter would be cleared up only by the appointment of a Government commission of inquiry. Mr. J. A, C. Allum suggested that if such a commission were set up it should go into the whole question of the collection of funds outside the regulations. It was resolved to recommend to the national council that an endeavour be made to have an inquiry undertaken by a commission into the raising of funds for patriotic purposes, with particular reference to the Red Cross.