COMMISSIONER IN MIDDLE EAST

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24483, 5 February 1945, Page 8

COMMISSIONER IN MIDDLE EAST

RE® CROSS DECISION CRITICISED FORMER SERVICEMAN NOT APPOINTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON. February 3. The Dominion executive of the returned Services’ Association has unanimously decided to make a public protest about the recent appointment as Red Cross Commissioner m the Middle East of a man who was not a, former serviceman. „ “The New' Zealand vices’ Association understands, a statement says, “that at the July conference- of the Joint Council Order of St. Johii and the Red Cross. It was agreed that when the became vacant preference. should be given to a former serviceman ’Diat decision was also affirmed and both the Red Cross and the Joint Council asked their respective centres and joint committees to hirward nominations of .suitable men to nil thV3 “The y 'New Zealand Returned Services’ Association has been informed of the names of a number of suitable former servicemen that nad been sent forward, and it is extraordinary that tihese men. as well ashmen of the sei yices nbw overseas who weie by their medical grading not available foi active fighting, should have been passed over in-favour of a man who has not been on active service.” „ The statement says that the New Zealand Returned Services Association does not question the waMca tioris of the man .appointed, but that the principle involved was ° n e tnai could not be allowed to without a most emphatic protest 'being regis tered. . ■