WORK OF MERCY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 231, 29 September 1945, Page 6

WORK OF MERCY

EED CROSS-ST. JOHN

ACTIVITIES REVIEWED

"We meet to-night in the first flush of Allied victory, and our feelings are those of thankfulness that the United Nations have emerged with honour bright from a prolonged war which has ravaged the globe said Sir Ernest Davis, chairman at the annual meeting last evening of the Auckland Provincial Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zea land Red Cross Society. "As one who had more than a little to do with the formation of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Organisation, it is just and fair to pay tribute to the Government for its foresight in bringing it into existence^ Sir Ernest said the aims- of .the Government's plan, carried into effect under the regulations drafted by Mr. J. W. Heenan, C.M.G., Undersecretary for Internal Affairs, were to eradiate the possibility of abuse, to prevent duplication and overlapping, to ensure that the object was llearly defined, and most important to make certain that those for whom the moneys were subscribed, received the fullest bene-fit-and that distribution of the funds was so ordered that there could be no wasteful expenditure. In concept the scheme was statesmanlike, and there would be few who would agree that its execution failed to fulfil the intentions of its author. Over the period the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office functioned, a total of 116,328 communications were dealt with. In the parcels room, with a total number of 343 packing days, 23,475 next-of-kin parcels were censored, re-packed and dispatched. "In thanking all our workers, I propose to place on record by resolution, our deep appreciation of the manner in which they have carried out their self-appointed task to such a satisfactory conclusion," added sir Ernest. , , The election of officers resulted: — Chairman, Sir Ernest Davis; deputychairman, Major-General P. H. Ben; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. &■ Beachen; honorary solicitor, Mr. H. M. Rogerson.