RED CROSS SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 13

RED CROSS SOCIETY

Presentation To Dominion Secretary On behalf of the Wellington centre of the Red Cross Society, a presentation was made to Mr. M. S- Galloway, former secretary of the centre, and now Dominion secretary, at a reception yesterday afternoon. The mayor, Mr. Ilislop, Mr. Chapman, M.P., and Dr. Alexander Gillies, president of the Wellington Red Cross Society, were among the visitors. “At present the Red Cross has a definite and onerous responsibility because of its international status,” Mr. Galloway said. “By an Act of Parliament it has been made an auxiliary to defence and health services, and its obligations go beyond the making of bandages. The organization is a point of contact between belligerent countries—comforts are already being sent to prisoners of war in Germany. During the Spanish war more than a million people were traced through the Red Cross, and the work will go on today." Already in New Zealand a considerable quantity 'of supplies had been gathered from all over the Dominion, and these were ready to accompany the first echelon overseas. Wellington, which was virtually the cornerstone of the Red Cross movement in New Zealand, has contributed a substantial part of the gift. “I hope,” said Mr. Galloway, "that the organization will continue to merit the trust and confidence of people the world over.” The party was arranged by Mrs. L. H. Angus, of the central executive, assisted by Mrs. Dennistoun-Wood, Mrs. G. Webb, Mrs. M. I. Bunny, and Mrs. Wilson Downes. The St. John Ambulance Association, Wellington Hospital, and Women’s Division of the Farmers’ L'nion were represented, as well as local branches and divisions of the Red Cross Society.