RED CROSS WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 9

RED CROSS WORK

j MONTHLY SUMMARY MONEY SENT TO ENGLAND COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS The monthly summary of Red Cross activities has just been issued ; by Dominion Healquarters. From > the Waikato Centre’s point of view it j was pleasing to note that its sugges- , tion of buying in bulk by indent of : goods not manufactured in New Zealand had been set in train and this method of supply should result in very considerable savings, besides standardising the value and quality jof the textiles to be made up by the j sewing circles throughout the Dominion. A report had been received from the Assistant Director Medical Services, N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East, that in the main the comforts sent forward were all that could be desired. Certain supplies unprocurable in New Zealand had been bought overseas and sent to the echelon. £SOOO sterling had also been cabled to Lord Somers, Red Cross Commissioner, in the Middle East, to cover hospital comforts for the sick and wounded of the N.Z.E.F. Lord Somers will administer this fund with the Director of Medical Services of the N.Z.E.F. In view of the severe loss of Red Cross equipment resulting from the evacuation from France, £IO,OOO sterling had been cabled to England to help replace the loss and also £SOOO to the Lord Mayor of London’s Fund. Plans For Future Large supplies of comforts were sent with the transports taking the second echelon to England, some for the use of those who fell sick en route, but in the main for use at the base hospitals. On learning that the troops had arrived safely in England £IO,OOO sterling was cabled to the Red Cross in England, with a request that they contact the A.D.M.S. of the Dominion’s Forces and disburse the grant on the needs of our sick and wounded. Attention was being given by the Director General of Health and his officers to occupational therapy and plans for the future were being laid i.o train personnel against the time of our sick and wounded returning so that they in turn might be trained luring their period of covivalesence to profitably occupy their time. Financial aid had been sought of the ,oint council to provide equipment ind bursaries to permit the scheme being launched immediately. This had been readily agreed to and the Director General of Health assured of our endorsement of the scheme ind desire to co-operate in its furtherance in every way possible. Visits to Hospitals Men from the various camps temporarily committed to hospital had been visited regularly and comforts distributed cigarettes, tobacco, sweets, fruits and reading matter. Requisitions for various items contributory to the welfare of the patients, received from the medical officer or matron had been promptly attended to. During an epidemic of influenza among the troops convalescent wards were established and special calls upon our V.A.D.’s for service were made. The required number asked for immediately reported for duty and reports from the authorities speak in the highest terms of the efficient manner in which the V.A.D.’s discharged their allotted tasks. The arrangements for contacting by relations and sending of parcels of food and clothing to prisoners of war was working satisfactorily. At the present time there were only three New Zealanders interned.