PATRIOTIC APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 74, 20 December 1939, Page 16

PATRIOTIC APPEAL

Functions Of Order Of St, John And Red Cross CARE OF WOUNDED AND SICK '•The provision of comforts for the men of our defence forces is a matter that vitally concerns every citizen." said Dr. Alexander Gillies, chairman of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, in a broadcast address last night.' "To alleviate their lot is at once a privilege and a duty. However, there are some aspects of the case that have special significance. The privilege of providing for the men who are fit and well is one phase: the earing for the sick and the wounded is another. “Under the provisions of the International Red Cross Convention the seal of approval is set on work done for the sick and wounded members of the fighting forces. The approbation also covers work done for internees in neutral countries, prisoners of war in enemj countries, and civilians injured or sick as the result of hostile action. The convention does not cover relief of any kind . for members of the forces who are fit, nor does it provide for the ordinary sick population in civilian hospitals. Evacuated men. women and children are also precluded from the work of the Red Cross. When you remember that the symbol of the Red Cross on a hospital ship, a train or on a hospital gives absolute protection for either friend or foe you will realize that the provision of these factors is essential. It is obvious that, if the Red Cross is to care for the sick and wounded it cannot possibly undertake the work of earing for fit persons and still expect its inviolability to be recognized. Must Keep Within Convention. "The Red Cross, therefore, cannot undertake to provide comforts for combatant troops. To do so would be a breach of the international convention, and in the event of any such action becoming known to the enemy reprisals might well ensue. To retain recognition for the symbol of the Red Cross we must confine our activities to the provisions of the convention. “Having these provisions in mind the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society has entered into a definite agreement with the National Patriotic Fund Board regarding the collection and disbursement of money for the alleviation of the sick and wounded. To facilitate the work, and to ensure that, everything will be in order, the agreement reached provides for a special account in the National Patriotic Fund Bpard. All money collected by the Order of St. John or by the Red Cross Society will be paid into this found and credited to this special account. The fund will be known as the ‘Sick and Wounded and Relief of Distress Fund.’ Because of this arrangement all branches of the Order of St. John or of the Red Cross automatically become collectors for the fund—that is. for the National Fund. "Let me make it perfectly clear why this is done.' 1 want citizens in the provinces to know why collections made should go to the National Patriotic Fund. The reason is that provincial funds are raised and disbursed to provide comforts for combatant!troops. That is primarily their objective. On the other hand the task of caring for the sick and wounded is being vested in the nalional fund. To make for efficiency and to utilize the resources already available, the National Fund Board Jihs delegated its authority and care of the sick and wounded to the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Patriotic Seal Appeal. "Though we appreciate this honour, and though we shall devote our energies to giving full expression to our sympathy for the sick and the wounded. I want to address a particular appeal to all members of the Order of St. John or the Red Cross. To them in particular, and to all citizens in general, I would appeal for generous support. for all appeals for the national or provincial funds. We would urge an early and generous response to the Governor-General’s patriotic seal appeal, which has been forwarded to every householder and business firm in the Dominion. “To defray the preliminary expenses of preparing comforts for the sick and wounded, the National Council has received a grant of £5OO from the National Fund Board. We are grateful for this evidence of sympathy and interest in our work. “Just what, will our work entail? At the moment no one can say how far it will extend, and it can only be limited by the need as it arises. We cannot estimate how much money will be required to provide for our own sick and wounded. In the meantime we must provide for the outfitting of field ambulances, field hospitals, and probably a hospital ship. These are responsibilities we must face. Future needs must be governed, too, by the number of men we send overseas, and by the duration of the war. The one salient factor that must be remembered is that all funds collected by branches of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society must go to the National Fund.

“In asking for full support for all appeals made, I would remind the people generally that the men of our combatant forces are making great sacrifices. We were thrilled by the glorious action undertaken by the men of New Zealand in IL.M.S. Achilles Ihe other day. Our pride is tinged with sorrow that the supreme sacrifice was made. The action was a grim reminder that we are at war.”