FREE TO ACT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 230, 9 July 1943, Page 5

FREE TO ACT

RED CROS3 SOCIETY. GENERAL PATRIOTIC APPEALS. WELLINGTON, July S. All centres and sub-centres of the New Zealand Red Cross Society have been advised by their Dominion president (the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) and chairman of the Dominion Executive (Mr C. G. White), that they are free to assist in the all-purposes patriotic appeals, subject to it being made clear by public announcement that a proportion of the funds raised are to go to the Joint Council of the Order of St. John ancl Red Cross Society for the sick and wounded and prisoners of war. The Joint Council of the Order of St. John and Red Cross Society is the expending agent of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the benefit of sick a,nd wounded and prisoners of war. Earlier in the war the Joint Council conducted a separate appeal. Since then the financial requirements of the Joint Council have been supplied by the National Patriotic Fund Board, and the Red Cross Society, in common with the Order of St. John and other welfare organisations, has been asked to support the various patriotic .councils in their all-purposes appeals. The view generally held in the Red Cross Society, however, has been that, in the spirit of the Red Cross and its tradition, a national Red Cross Society should refrain from any action which might be construed as implying that it was faking part, even indirectly, in the furtherance of military operations. This appeared to be the practice adopted by the British Rod Cross, says the statement issued by Sir Heaton Rhodes and Mr White. On the other hand, one of the largest societies in the world, the American. Red Cross, was operating in New Zealand and a great part of its work was connected with the provision of comforts and amenities for the American fighting forces. In a communication received from the president of the International Red Cross, the statement continues, the opinion expressed was that there was nothing to prevent a national society joining in an 'appeal for funds with another institution, it being understood that the yield should go In part to the Red Cross and in part to funds dealing, for example, with the health and welfare of the fighting forces. Willing Co-operation. “In these circumstances,” the statement continues, “it is considered proper to make it as widely known as possible that the New Zealand Red Cross Society is now free to act, and is ready and willing to co-operate with the various provincial patriotic councils throughout the Dominion in the raising of funds by way of general appeal, provided that it is made clear in public announcements that a proportion of these funds is to go to the Joint Council for the sick and wounded and prisoners of war.” The statement also refers to “the widespread misapprehension that appears to exist in the minds of the public that money given to the National Patriotic Fund Board is given to the Government as the Board is controlled by the Government.” After pointing out that the Board is composed of men entirely free from Government control and that it is presided over by His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, the statement adds: “The ready response to all-purposes appeals by generous donors may be materially affected by erroneous and mischievous statements of this nature, and we as a body should assist in every way possible in making the position clear to the public.”