THE RED CROSS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1940, Page 4

THE RED CROSS

(CONSTITUTED, as it is, to undertake essential war services in providing medical stores and comforts for wounded soldiers and in other ways, as well as to make preparations of various kinds .for any emergency that may arise within the Dominion, the Red Cross Society has every claim to public support. No doubt., that support, as in the. past, will be accorded readilv in. this district. To that end it is very desirable that there‘should be a fully representative attendance at the meeting convened, by the Wairarapa sub-branch of the society, to be held in the Municipal Social Hall tomorrow evening. Prom time to time it is and will be possible for all members of the community to assist the Red Cross Society by financial donations and in other ways, but one essential, object immediately in view is that of organising working groups of women to undertake the preparation of hospital supplies. This is work of cardinal, importance which ought to be put in hand everywhere without delay where that has not already been done. No more direct contribution to the welfare and comfort of the members of our fighting forces can be made than in the work to which the members of the Red Cross committees will devote themselves. The interests of the Red Cross Society are wide and farreaching and one excellent project to which some ol its members are at present giving- attention is that ol promoting the adoption of Finnish school children by their contemporaries in Now Zealand. As a nation the Finns at present are in bitter need and though they are promised help from many quarters, through the agency of the League of Nations and in other ways, there is no danger of the help extended to them being unduly amplified. They have every possible claim to assistance, no) only on account of their gallant stand, against Russia, but because they are an enlightened, humane and progressive people, who have long been striving, in face of terrible difficulties and against tremendous odds, to build up a model democracy. Proposals to bring Finnish and Now Zealand children into friendly touch and understanding are entitled to the heartiest approval and support. A certain amount of material help may he given to Finnish children through the agency of young New Zealanders, but the moral and spiritual relationship that may be establ'shed is even more important. Groat mutual benefits may be expected from the contact to bo established. We have much to learn as a people from the Finns who are struggling so bravely to establish their freedom and to develop their country and in days to come we may be glad to draw from Finland immigrants who will be au asset to the Dominion.