Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1943. RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 171, 1 May 1943, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1943. RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

The record of work reviewed in the annual report was an impressive reminder of the value of the activities carried out by the Mid-Canterbury Centre of, the New Zealand Red Cross Society. At this time of conflict it is inspiring, and heartening to reflect that there is one human institution that links the warring nations* The International Red Cross, with headquarters at Geneva, has developed from its primary object of ameliorating the condition of the wounded on the battlefields and in military hospitals until now it performs invaluable service on behalf of prisoners of war. The duty of attending to the wounded falls largely upon the various combatants severally, work connected with prisoners can be carried out only by an organisation that is international and strictly neutral, and so recognised without any reservation. The brief notices that appear in the press from time to time regarding activities of the prisoners of war branch of the work, .afford *?ome degree of AOnufoft to those who have dear and near ones in the enemy’s hands, but even the most explicit of statements or special articles can give ho idea of the vastness of the organisation, trained and directed with the nicest carefulness, that is necessary to perform the duty. A small, a very small, cog in the great machinery that operates, with very few exceptions, in every part of the world, the Mid-Canterbury Centre is to be congratulated on the enthusiasm displayed by members. On the financial side, the..officials are to be credited with careful administration. Considering the constant activity the expenses of* administration are '.cry low'. Every man repatriated because of wounds receives,.from the local centre, on his return to this district or passage through by rail, gifts eloquent of the, interest that the Red Cross takes in those within its scope, but these gifts are but tokens of the great network of centres for the efficient discharge of a- labour born of the noblest of humanitarian. principles. On international, ■national and local grounds the Red Cross Society has undeniable claims to the utmost public support, financial and active.