NO HIGH SALARIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 7

NO HIGH SALARIES

RED CROSS & ST. JOHN APPEAL ARMY OF UNPAID WORKERS. RUMOUR CATEGORICALLY DENIED. The essentially voluntary nature of the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund Appeal, now in progress throughout New Zealand is stressed in a statement from the headquarters of the appeal at Wellington, which categorically denies an impression that high salaries were being paid to those concerned. “From letters I have received,” said Mr J. Abel, honorary Dominion organiser of the appeal today, “it appears that an impression has been circulated that those organising the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund Appeal are receiving high salaries for their services. I wish to correct that impession. The spirit of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St John is one of ready and voluntary service. Of course there are salaried officers in permanent positions in the Red Cross Society and the Order of St John, but even these officers have given the tremendous amount of work necessitated by this appeal for no reimbursement whatever. In addition, the owners of motor-cars have freely given the use of their vehicles and their petrol —a considerable item these days—in their efforts to help the appeal, while others have given their time and services. We consider it a reflection upon the thousands of magnificent helpers throughout the Dominion who are giving their time freely and willingly to say that they are in any way paid for their efforts. People who carelessly circulate reports of this nature are doing a disservice to the sick and wounded and are discouraging the great army of workers who are throwing their weight into this campaign from one end of New Zealand to the other.”