RED CROSS FUND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15938, 27 June 1917, Page 7

RED CROSS FUND.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE,

"OUR DAY" APPEAL

FIXED FOR SEPTEMBER 28TH

A special meeting of the executive of the Red Cross was held yesterday afternoon to consider the appeal, recently receivod from England, for an "Our Day" appeal on behalf of the Red Gross and the Order of St. John. Mr Arthur E. G. Rhodes presided, and there wore present: —Messrs J. A. Flesher, M. Gresson, W. T. Robinson, P. L. Hallonstein, H. J. Beswick, E. Nordon, Hon. J. Borthwick, Dr. M. Louisson, Rev. Mr Hewland, Mrs H. F. Wigram, and Mrs Cyrus Williams. Apologies were made for LieutenantColonel Creswell and Mr W. Nicholls.

The chairman welcomed new members in Dr. Louisson and Mr Bcswick. Ho stated that the object of the meeting was to fix the date of the "Our Day" appeal. After a general discussion as to tho most suitable date, it was agreed to recommend to the committee that the "Our Dj<s" appeal should bo made on Friday, September 28th. Mr Flesher suggested that it could not be too early impressed on the branches in Canterbury that tho executive was preparing a plan of campaign in connexion with tho appeal, and that all collections made should be forwarded to the executive.

Mr Grosson said that the executive should, as soon as possible, dissociate itself from tho statement accompanying the Duke of Connaught's letter that all contributions should be sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs. He thought that the Minister had ignored the lted Cross organisation, and that the Minister should be asked why he had ignored tho organisation.

Mr Boswiek said that the position should bo mndo clear, because if the matter were left as at present, they would find that tho roquest to remit to tho Department would be made an excuse by some for not subscribing.

It was ultimately resolved to communicate with Colonel Moorhouso. and request him to ascertain from the Minister of Internal Affairs why the appeal was being mado over the existing organisation.

Mr Robinson said that tho Red Cross Sales Depot Committee were prepared to run a "surprise packet" in connexion with the appeal on "Our Day." Mr Nordon remarkod that if the "surprise packet" scheme was held on the same day as tho appeal it would interfere with the collection.

Mr Robinson said that it might be possible to run the "surprise packet" during Grand National Week. The matter was referred to the committee of the appeal.

It was decided to write to secretaries of branches, advising them to forward any collections made for '"Our Day" to the executive; and also asking them to mako suggestions as to methods of furthering the appeal. On the motion of Mr Robinson, Mr Georore E. Rhodes was elected to the executive.

On tho motion of Mr HaTlenstein. it was agreod to recommend the eommitteo to consider the question of holding a "Violet Day" in connexion with the "Our Dny" appeal.

Tho chairman announced that information had been received that the Red Cross and all its branches had been approved and gazetted. This would legalise any votes made by local bodies to Rod Cross funds.

The committee which conducted, tho previous "Our Day" appeal -was re-ap-pointed. with the addition of the new members of tho executive. Power was given to the committee to add to its number.