RED CROSS SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1941, Page 2

RED CROSS SOCIETY

MASTERTON SUB-CENTRE PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES. EXPENSES OF VOLUNTARY AIDS. At the monthly meeting of the Masterton sub-centre of the Red Cross Society, Mrs Pithei- presided. Accounts amounting to £7B 8s 8d were passed for payment. It was reported that a temporary military hospital would be opened in Featherston in the near future, and it was hoped that, with the exception of the trained nursing staff, the hospital I would be entirely staffed with Wairarapa Voluntary Aids. The importance of having Voluntary Aid kitchen units was stressed. Some members of this unit had been already trained, and others are now undergoing their forty' hours’ training in the Masterton and Greytown hospitals. More members were required for this work, and anyone interested in taking the training is requested to communicate either with Mrs Stewart, the commandant, or Miss Cruickshank, the secretary. The matron of the Masterton Hospital wrote thanking the Society for all that had been done in the way of providing comforts for soldiers while in hospital, and for the work done by the arts and crafts committee in instructing the men in handcrafts. ' The hospital group reported that work was still being done for the emergency hospital organisation. Mr Lee spoke in appreciation of this work, and particularly bn the excellence of the work that this group had done. Work had also been carried out for the Wellington headquarters, and the following letter had been received from Wellington: “We are indebted to you for sending in the goods for'sick and wounded soldiers. These goods, twelve dressing gowns, are much appreciated'. May I congratulate you upon the excellence of the work put into these gowns. They are the best we have yet received.”

It was reported that the knitting group had also received grateful acknowledgment from Wellington for 2 dozen hospital pullovers and four hospital waistcoats. As headquarters were in need of hospital stockings, three, pairs of these were sent down as a donation from the sub-centre. The knitting group had a supply of wool on hand, and would be glad to have the services of more knitters. It was stated that the sewing group had a supply of materials on hand, and were continuing with the making of warm garments to send to England. Many donations of warm garments had been received, and these are to be packed and sent away this month. It has been decided that in future the Red Cross Society’s room will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays only, and not for three days a week as previously - Mrs Dagg, on behalf of the arts and crafts committee, reported that there was only one soldier in hospital. He had expressed a desire to study the Maori language, and Mrs Dagg was instructed to supply him with the necessary books. It was decided that the sub-centre should keep on hand a small supply of Voluntary Aid uniforms and capes. These would be the property of the sub-centre, and would be loaned to V.A.’s receiving sudden calls and requiring extra equipment. The secretary was instructed to write to the Centre and ask that it take up the matter with the authorities concerned of some provision being made to cover expenses of transport, board and meals for Voluntary Aids on active duty. At the present time all these expenses had to be paid by the Voluntary Aids themselves, and it was felt that when they are called for duty in Wellington, Trentham or other places they should be given passes on the railways and some provision made for their board. The following recommendation brought forward by the Transport Committee was adopted by the meeting: “That it be a recommendation to the Centre that each detachment should have its own commandant and, that detachments should be part of and conduct their business through the Sub-Centre of which they are members.”

In connection with the packing of parcels for prisoners of war the. meeting 'decided that when word was re.ceived of a soldier being a prisoner of war the circular prepared by the Society should be sent to the next of kin who could then notify the society whether any advice or assistance in the matter of preparing a parcel to send away was required.