PRECAUTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 7

PRECAUTIONS.

EMERGENCY SCHEME.!

WORK OF RED CROSS.

The New Zealand Red Cross Society has had a busy time since the commencement of the war, extending considerably it« instructional work in respect to "first aid in chemical warfare." At present special instructional classes are being held for wardens and team wardens, appointed under the Municipal Emergency Precautions Scheme. The society has full equipment for demonstration purposes and the instruction embraces a concentrated course to fit the students to carry out their< part in the event of air raids in Auckland.

"We hare been giving instruction foi the last two years and have had ovei 2000 students through our hamk," sak the society's secretary, Mr. A. A Harker, this morning. "We can com plete one course in a day and in ordei to meet the requirements of thos4 anxious to receive instruction on somi Saturdays we have commenced instruc tion at 12.30 pan., and with interval! for refreshments and meals, continue): until 9 p.m. As many as 260 people have recevied instruction covering a full course in one day. That will give an idea of the importance attached to the iwork by thousands of citizens. i

"People of all apes come to our classes, both men and women," he said. "The professional and brained community has always been well represented and take as much interest in the courses as do the youthful students. We have people coming from remote country districts to take the course. The society ; s fortunate in havinjr for its instructor. Mr. G. Thacker Peterson, who, prior to tie war, took several courses in airraid precautions in England, including the lecturers' and instructor*' courses, at the Air Raid Precaution School. Fal-j field, where lie received a Home Office j certificate As a lector jt and iMtruc 4 -»rj in air-raid precnitjoaa." t

Referring to classes that have been i icld apart from those now being conlucted for wardens under the municipal scheme, Mr. Barker said that most of he students that had been trained were nembers of the Bed Cross Society. 'Under the Emergency Precautions Scheme, St. John Ambulance and the ( Red Cross are called upon to the personnel to man emergency first-aid posts," said Mr. Barker. "We also tiave a large force of VJLD.'s organised 1 « a reserve for emergency work in' hospitals, the number* reaching between! 1 2000 and 3000, mostly women. The Red Cross Society has 15 detachment*, each 1 with a commanding officer, medical i officer, lady superintendent, who has to ] be a trained nurse, and all other officers ! and non-commissioned officers necessary , for complete control. They are doing! excellent work and deserve credit for ] the time they devote to their duties." j Mr. Barker said that In addition to l the work done in connection with airraid precautions, the society provided many classes of instruction in first aid home nursing, hygiene, sanitation and [minor motor repairs. The collection of jclothing for relief overseas had been lan activity that had had splendid results. Clothing for Jewish refugees, when they were finst driven from certain parts of Europe, was sent away, and there were consignments of clothes for Polish mothers. An appeal for funds for relief in Finland was well supported, and in addition to sending over 100 cases of clothing, cash to the extent of £350 was forwarded when it became doubtful whether shipments of clothing would reach their destination. The society wsw now concentrating on the collection of clothing for relief in Great Britain.