WELLINGTON RED CROSS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 234, 29 June 1922, Page 5

WELLINGTON RED CROSS

PEACE TIME ACTIVITY. A meeting of the members of the peace time branch of the Red Cross Society was held in the Red Cross chambers, 63 Dixon Street. There were present: —Lady Luke, Mrs. D. G. Clarke, Mrs. Pow, Mrs. Forde, Mrs. F. T. Clarke, Mrs. W. G. Reid, Mts. Murphy, Mrs. J. W. Stable, Miss M. E. L. Robieson, Mrs. T. B. Strong, Mrs. O. H. Chapman, Mrs. R. C. Kinvig, Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins, Mr. C: H. Seville, Mr. T. A. Hunt, and Mr. M. S. Galloway (secretary). Mr. T. Munt was elected chairman for the ensuing year, and Miss Griffiths was entrusted with the discharge of secretarial duties in connection with the peace time work. Mr. Mimt said that it was.the intention of the society to expand materially the peace time functions of the organisation. This work, which lay in the direction of the improvement of health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world, had been carried on now for some time past internationally by 45 nations gathered under the banner of the Red Cross, through alliance with the League of Red Cross Societies. New Zealand, as a branch of the British Red Cross Society, had, therefore, a duty to perform in the fulfilment of its part toward achieving the humanitarian ideals which constituted the dynamic of the international societies. First hand information on matters appertaining to health was collected in all countries as a result of scientific research being subsequently collated and disseminated per medium of the Red Cross throughout the world. A number of local professional men had kindly consented to deliver the following lectures, the first of which would be delivered in the Red Cross rooms on Tuesday evening, July 4: “Veneir eal Disease,” “Psycho-Analysis?’ “Domestic Hygiene.” “Sanitation,” “Dental Hygiene.” ‘‘Milk, Its Influence on Health,” “Exercise and Its Importance.” “Exorcises Adapted to Age,’ “Prevention of Disease.” “Concentration and Effort,” “Prolongation of Life, and How To Keep Fit,' “Food in Relation to Disease.” In addition a large number of lantern slides and exhibfesi had 'recently arrived, from which interesting sad instructive talks on health Subjects would he given. It should be clearly understood that the work which the society had in view would be auxiliary to that of the Department of Health, and coordinate with kindred bodies. Sister Webster, the Red Cross nurse, who was undergoing a course of training at Bedford College, London, was on the eve of completing her studies,and would shortly return to the Dominion to take up her work. Another nursing scholarship had been granted, and the successful applicant would be required to be in residence at tho college, London, to embark upon the course, commencing October 1. It was proposed in the meantime to embark upon this branch of work by advertising for and employing a competent nurse to assume dutv immediately. Likewise the appointment of a fully qualified medical man to visit hospitals and keen. in touch with the requirements of disabled ex-soldiere was contemplated. Dr. Collins nointed out that peace time work would in bio wise interfere with tho interests .of disabled ex-ser-vice men, as a separate, committee was giving its whole attention to work on its behalf. A neace time fund had been raised by membership enrolment, and was altogether apart and distinct from the moneys drawn vnon in the ease of meeting the requirements of ex-service men.

Ladv Luke stated that since the termination of hostilities many of the women workers had continued to make garments for the little sufferers from infantile paralysis in hospital. Through t’lis medium several warm articles of knitted underclothing had been supplied to the children in hospital. Further supplies of woollen stockings ana warm ward shoes for the children had been purchased out of peace time ...funds, and forwarded to the matron. On the proposal of Lady Luke, seconded by Mrs. Pow, it was decided that the’helpers meet in the Red Cross' rooms every, Tuesday afternoon for, operations. So that work would'be put in hand at once, Lady Luke intimated that supplies of 4-ply white wool had been purchased, and was now available. Mr. M. S. Galloway gave an account of his recent visit to Now Plymouth 'and Wanganui on Red Cross business. The junior division of the Red Cross, said the speaker, was a wonderful organisation. It had started in Canada and Australia in 1914 almost simultaneously. To-day these countries enjoyed a junior membership of 60.000 and 40,000 respectively. America had taken lip the work in 1917. She today has the support of 11,383.(XX) juniors. The American juniors had made 40,000 tables and. chairs in addition to large quantities .of clothing, dispatching their productions to Europe, to aid in the work of reconstruction. . Further, through their contributions, a staff of 38 workers were retained in the devastated areas to see that support sent was properly administered. Financial support Ro the / tone' of 1,000,000 dollars was sent to TTurope' by the American juniors last year. In ( the United Kingdom there was a large and expanding membership. Poland had 70,000, China 14,000. Arrangements had been made for an interchange of correspondence between juniors in New Zealand and the members of the junior section in the United Kingdom, America, Canada, and Australia.