FIRST AID

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 127, 25 November 1938, Page 4

FIRST AID

TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

WORK OF RED CROSS

The teaching by the Red Cross Society of first aid in schools was the subject of a statement made to the "Evening Post" today by Mr. M. -S. Galloway, honorary secretary of the Wellington centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society.

"The proposal to inaugurate, instruction in first aid in the schools must command the commendation of ail who think and appreciate the need for proper action in the event of accident or emergency," said Mr. Galloway. "This is acclaimed as something new which, as far as Wellington is concerned, is not the case. For the past fifteen years this work has been continuously in progress under the auspices of the Wellington Red Cross Society as a part of the Junior Red Cross movement. The executive of the society has always been strongly of the opinion that not only first aid but also home nursing and hygiene should be included as compulsory subjects ra the school curriculum. This opinion, until recently, has not enjoyed expressed support in official quarters. To those who have laboured in this field over many years, the proposed change, which will ap^ly to the Dominion as a whole, is heartily endorsed. '

"In most of the fifty-eight countries in which the Junior Red Cross, with its membership of 20,000.000 children, is operating instruction in first aid is definitely recognised as its special function and it is in this sense that the work was inaugurated here in Wellington fifteen years ago From a modest beginning interest has increased year by year until today there are over 2000 scholars in the schools and colleges in Wellington receiving instruction in first aid or home nursing. Indeed, examinations on the year's work are now in progress. Instruction opened with the school year in February and in all thirty-two classes have been continuously in progress at the schools, primary and secondary, in Wellington. Many who received their training in the early years have entered the professions of medicine and nursing. All with- th entraining are of potential value to the community in epidemic or disaster. *'RED CROSS OVERLOOKED." "In announcing the scheme, the work of the Red Cr6ss, already achieved and in progress, would appear to have been overlooked. The Red Cross executive in Wellington feels that cognisance will be taken in official quarters of its past endeavours, and that the proposed scheme will rather amplify than disturb its work in this domain. "Convinced of the value of this | work," said Mr. Galloway, "the centre' has been involved in an outlay of ap-j proximately £400 per annum on its maintenance, receiving wo subventions! from the Government or any other source. Instruction given has at all times been gratuitous.

"As far as Wellington is concerned, given official encouragement, the machinery set up by the society and backed by fifteen years' practical experience, is more than ready to meet any expansion which the scheme may entaiL We' do, however, gladly welcome the co-operation Of our. sister organisation—St. John —in this most valuable field of work."

Classes were conducted fl by the Red Cross Society, said Mr. Galloway, in the following schools:—Seatoun School, two classes; Lyall Bay School, two classes; South Wellington School, two jlasses; St. Anne's Convent, one class; St. Joseph's Convent, one class: Mount Carmel Convent, one class; Hataitai School, one class; Wellington East Girls' College, two classes, ketone West School, two classes; St. Patrick's Convent, one class; St. Catherine's Convent, one class; Northland School, one class; Petone Convent, one class; Petone Central School, one class; Petone Technical College, one class; Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, three classes; Hutt Valley High School, two classes; Saints Peter and Paul Convent, one class; Rongotai College, two classes; Mangaroa- School, one class; Upper Hutt School, one class; Stokes Valley, one class; Kaitoke School, one class.