The Red Gross

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26971, 21 February 1953, Page 6

The Red Gross

1 The people of Canterbury responded generously to the needs of those unfortunate Dutch and English people whose homes were wrecked by the recent floods; but their i generosity would not have meant , nearly so much if there had not been a relief organisation able to I collect and distribute relief contributions. It is one of the great . virtues of the Red Cross Society . that it is always ready for a sudden call with its organisation in being and active; and it also enjoys the confidence of the people in every country where it is allowed to work. The money and goods (the latter in astonishing volume) that flowed in when the need in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom was understood were promptly handled. More than 100 bales of good clothing were handled by the Canterbury centre of the Red Cross and its« 70-odd subcentres, the first 20 bales being sorted and packed quickly .enough to take the fortunate chance of air transport to the Netherlands. This particular instance of the service that the Red Cross is always 1 ready and able to give should ■ remind the people of Canterbury i that its usefulness does not end with 1 a war. At any time some fresh i emergency may arise, so that the 1 whole organisation with its army of ! devoted, voluntary workers must be 1 kept efficient and enthusiastic. Even without the demands of some unexpected disaster, the society has t constant calls upon it. For example, I it is going quietly on with its efforts { to relieve the misery of people in s the distressed parts of Europe, Asia, J and South America. The outstand- c ing service that the Red Cross has 1 been able to give to European flood victims at this time is a suitable ( occasion to say “ thank you ” for c all that it does, and a reminder to • the public that It deserves continued v and increased support. 1