SICK AND WOUNDED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 301, 27 September 1940, Page 8

SICK AND WOUNDED.

AUCKLAND COMPLAINTS DISCUSSED. ‘INQUIRY WOULD BE WELCOMED’ AUCKLAND, September 25. Complaints made at a meeting of tin; Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council on Monday night concerning thei continued collection by the New Zealand Red Cross Society of funds for the relief of sick and wounded were considered at a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Red (Cross Society. A resolution was passed expressing the concern of the executive committee at the innuendoes and implications emanating from the meeting of the Patriotic Council, and inferences that Red Cross activities in the Auckland centre were subversive of the Government regulations. It was stated that the Auckland centre executive had no knowledge of funds being collected for the sick and wounded fund, other than during the campaign conducted by the Auckland provincial committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. The resolution further pointed out that the executive would welcome an inquiry by any commission.

APPEALS NOT IN ORDER. VIEW OF DOMINION ORGANISER. WELLINGTON, September 25. When an Auckland telegram regarding complaints against the Red Cross continuing to raise funds for sick and wounded soldiery was referred to Major Abel, who is honorary Dominion treasurer, and honorary organiser for that appeal, he said the appeal finally closed in Juno and no individuals or organisations or even the Joint Council itself was in order in promoting functions or endeavouring to raise funds for the sick and wounded. Every branch had been circularised to that effect many weeks ago. : ' ' Of course, he added, it was still legal for the Joint Council to receive direct donations to the fund, hut it , was definitely not in order to promote money-raising functions. ‘