PROTEST BY R.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 29, 3 February 1945, Page 6

PROTEST BY R.S.A.

RED CROSS APPOINTEE

"NOT AN EX-SERVICEMAN" P.A. WELLINGTON, this day. At its first meeting since the Christmas vacation the Dominion executive of the R.S.A. unanimously decided to make a public protest with regard to the recent appointment as the Red Cross Commissioner in the Middle East of a man who was not an ex-serviceman. "The N.Z.R.S.A. understands," the statement says, "that at the July conference of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and Red Cross, it was agreed that when the appointment became v.eant preference should be given to an ex-serviceman. That decision was also affirmed last October, and both the Red Cross and Joint Council asked their respective centres and joint committees to forward nominations of suitable men to fill the vacancy. The N.Z.R.S.A. has been informed of the names of a number of suitable ex-servicemen that, had been sent forward and it is extraordinary that these men, as well as men of the services now overseas, who were by their medical grading not available for active fighting, should have been passed over in favour of a man who has not been on active service."

The statement adds that the N.Z.R.S.A. does not question the qualifications of the man appointed, but that the principle involved is one that can not, be allowed to pass without a most emphatic protest being registered.