THE RED CROSS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1939, Page 5

THE RED CROSS

READY TO MEET WAR CALL

DOMINION OFFICIALS IN WAIRARAPA.

APPEAL FOR INCREASED SUPPORT.

With a war raging' m Europe thoughts are turned to such organisations as the Red Cross Society and the St John Ambulance, whose value in times ol’ national emergency is taken more as a matter of course than it should be. Yesterday afternoon at the weekly luncheon of the Masterton'Rotary Club, members heard an interesting address by Dr Alexander Gillies, chairman of the New Zealand Red Cross Society and also chairman of the Joint Council of the Order of St John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, together with Captain M. S. Galloway, Dominion Secretary of the Red Cross Society.

Last night in the Municipal Buildings, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presided over another meeting at which Dr Gillies and Captain Galloway spoke. After giving a brief summary of how the Red Cross first came into being. Dr Gillies stated that in New Zealand, at the close of the Great War the people, realising the value of the organisation to the community, strongly advocated its continuation. The society kept on as a peace time organisation, and its work and membership had spread throughout the Dominion by leaps and bounds. “The society has done, and is doing excellent work, and I feel certain that the call for help is not far distant,” said Dr Gillies. “Since its formation in 1864 the Red Cross has continued its work through every war that has raged during that period,” Dr Gillies continued. “During the recent war in China an appeal was made from the International Headquarters to help the sick and wounded Chinese soldiers. Under the Joint Council of the St John and the Red Cross, £BOOO was raised and four doctors fully equipped, were dispatched for a period of six months each. In the Spanish civil war the Red Cross helped both sides. Assistance was not necessary for the Japanese, as the Red Cross in that country is exceedingly strong, and they did not require the help of other nations. “We read that every hospital in Warsaw is out of action, and that all the people can do it to watch the sick and wounded dying on the streets. The Red Cross is doing its utmost to get assistance to the people there as fast as posible. Two weeks ago we read in the daily Press that an aeroplane with a woman Red Cross doctor was shot down. That machine was endeavouring to get through to Warsaw.

“Already we have received numerous contributions for the furtherance of our work in Poland. There is no other organisation in the world whose specific function is to render to all sick and wounded soldiers of all nationalities medical aid. And it is only through the generosity of the people throughout the world that this state of affairs can be maintained. The Wairarapa public played a great part in the world war and I feel certain that they will do again.” “At present there are over 20,000 members of the Red Cross ready to do their bit if required,” said Captain Galloway,” and many more are joining up as each day goes by. There is of course, no need for me to tell you that the society in the Wairarapa is a strong one, and as in all other parts of the Dominion is on the increase.”

“During the Great War, the Red Cross raised £1,500,000 for the soldiers. All of this money was not used at that time. Some of it has been used since for providing comforts for returned men. The society has never appealed to the public for funds for ex-Servicemen, but those funds are gradually decreasing. “The benefit of the Red Cross has been fejt all over the world and not one major disaster has occurred at which the Red Cross was not on the job. The Red Cross is also the only point of contact between hostile countries —this I think speaks for itself.”

With reference to the action of the Red Cross in the present international situation, Captain Galloway stated tnat the society was waiting on a lead from the Government. He was of the opinion that such a lead would be forthcoming within the next few days. Dr Gillies said that he had conferred with cetain members of the House on the matter, and he had been assured that the Red Cross Society would be satisfied with the arrangements made by the Government to control the collections of funds and general work in connection with the troops. “I am certain,” he added, “that the Red Cross will be helped by the Government, and not hindered, as some people are inclined to believe.” At the Rotary Club luncheon Mr J. H. Cunningham thanked Dr Gillies and Captain Galloway for their address, and last night Mr Jordan returned thanks on behalf of the meeting.