N.Z. RED CROSS SOCIETY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27124, 21 August 1953, Page 2

N.Z. RED CROSS SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 20. Greater interest would be shown by young people in Red Cross work if social contacts were encouraged by allowing voluntary aids and members of men’s detachments to work and receive instruction together, said the commandant-in-chief of the men’s detachments (Mr D. H. Peat) at the annual meeting of the Dominion council of the New Zealand Red Cross Society today. During earlier discussions on the re-

port of the director-general of voluntary aid detachments (Mrs Margaret Hodgkinson), speakers said that more social activity or other means to make V.A.D. membership more attractive were needed. Mr Peat suggested in his report that to get men’s detachments and voluntary aids together in Red Cross activities would help both sections of the organisation. Delegates reported that in Manawatu and Christchurch there was already a great degree of joint activity.

Mr Peat emphasised that the men’s detachments were not solely a first-aid group. They were an integral part of the society, he said, taking full part in its work. He also commended the rapid growth of the Red Cross cadet movement. It had achieved much in a short time, he said. The conference congratulated the Taranaki men’s detachment on its speed and efficiency in providing aid in the recent tragedy on Mount Egmont.

Miss M. Magill (Wellington) commended the men’s detachments for giving a lead by making the wearing of crash helmets compulsory for members riding motor-cycles while on Red Cross duties.

An anonymous donation of £l5OO to be spent as the society thinks best was announced at the conference. Deep appreciation was expressed by the chairman (Mr A. E. Gibbons).