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Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1945, Page 3

NO CHANGE

RED CROSS OFFICER

REPLY TO CRITICISM

P.A. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A statement was issued to-day after a meeting of the National Patriotic Fund Board dealing with the nomination by a sub-committee of the war purposes committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society of Mr. C. Meachen as sick and wounded commissioner in the Middle East in succession to Major W. G. Tweedy, of Timaru, who is returning to the Dominion.

The statement quoted the opinion of Brigadier A. S. Falconer, until recently acting-patriotic commissioner in the Middle East, that the sick and wounded commissioner was necessary, and said that Mr. Meachen was selected by the sub-committee as being the most suitable of those nominated for the position. "The Joint Council," says the statement, "circularised all its centres and sub-centres for nominations. A cablegram was received later from Major Tweedy stating that it was urgently necessary for a successor to be appointed, and as transport was available within a few days the appointment became one of urgency. Eight nominations had been received by the Joint Council. Two of these subsequently withdrew and the subcommittee reduced the remainder to two. Of these two one was an exsoldier of the last war and the other was Mr. Meachen, who had served with the New Zealand Army in New Zealand in this war and attained the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Meachen was considered best fitted for the position. Volunteered at Outbreak "The criticism that has arisen has been of two aspects—(l) by the R.S.A. that the appointee is not a returned serviceman, and (2) by Colonel Muir, of Gisborne, and Mr. Kealey, of the Auckland City Council, that the appointment is unnecessary and wasteful. So far as Mr. Meachen is concerned, he is a territorial officer and volunteered at the outbreak of war. In view of his civilian occupation as secretary of the St. John Ambulance. Wellington, secretary of the Otaki Health Camp for Children, secretary of the Crippled Children's Society, and secretary and founder of the ton and National Blood Transfusion Services, he was appointed assistantembarkation officer at Wellington, which post he occupied from the outbreak of war until taking up his present appointment. "On the introduction of compulsory military service Mr. Meachen was called in a ballot. This was during the Japanese crisis. At this time, in addition to the offices mentioned above, he was liaison officer and instructor of the hospital E.P.S. section in Wellington for the evacuation of possible casualties. Consequently, against his own wishes, he was appealed for by all bodies with whom he was associated and retained in New Zealand. "Mr. Meachen is 38 years of age and unless the Government policy is altered would not be called upon under the replacement scheme in respect to the New Zealand Division. Owing to changes in the war situation, and the fact that his organisation of the blood bank was complete, it was considered that his ability and valuable experience could now be used to greater advantage as sick and wounded commissioner in the Middle East. "Appointment Necessary" "Regarding the criticism that the appointment of a Red Cross Commissioner is unnecessary and wasteful, the board accepts the assurance of the Joint Council that such appointment is necessary. When Brigadier Falconer returned from the Middle East the question was raised with him, an£ he stated that he was strongly of the opinion that the appointment of an officer for purely Red Cross work at casualty clearing stations and New Zealand hospitals there was a necessity. There was also a necessity for looking after hospital ships when they arrived in Egypt or Italy. Then there was hospital visiting, which was a desirable feature. The Red Cross officer, he said, had a considerable amount of travelling about to do if the administration was to be efficient. He was quite definite that an officer was necessary to conduct the Red Cross and St. John work with the Second N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East and Italy, and that he should hold a senior commission to assist in mobility and the making of contacts. "Other inquiries show that there are Red Cross officers with the British, Canadian, American, South African, Southern Rhodesian and Australian forces in the Middle East. This appointment was considered by the standing committee of the board and was confirmed, and the full board having considered all aspects, are satisfied that a commissioner should be appointed and confirms Mr. Meachen's appointment.