JUNIOR RED CROSS EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 29, 29 October 1945, Page 4

JUNIOR RED CROSS EXHIBITION

Opened By Lady Newall

The first of its kind to be held in the Dominion, the Junior Red Cross national exhibition in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday afternoon and at night, was a marked success, creating much interest and drawing a large crowd of interested people. The exhibition was oflieially opened by her Excellency, Lady Newall, in the afternoon, and at night, Sir Patrick Duff, United Kingdom High Commissioner, opened the Concert and gave a message on behalf of Litfiy Dull, first president of the New Zealand Junior Red Cross Council. At the official opening and nt. night, Mr. C. G. White, chairman of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, presided. Mr. White said be looked forward to the day when the Junior Red Cross iu New Zealand would have the largest membership of any country in the world. He regretled that Lady Newall, their patroness, would not be with them very mueii longer, and referred to her great interest and help in all that pertained to the Junior Red Cross. ■With her Excellency on the stage was the mayor, Mr. Appleton. Miss L. G. Small, director, Junior Red Cross, Lady Duff. Miss N. Walton, who accompanied Lady Newall, Mr. White, and Mr. M. S. Galloway. Mr. B. O'Brien acted as" compere at. both the afternoon, and night concerts for which Mr. A. Pea cock was stage manager. “All of you boys and girls have been for many 'months making toys, sewing, knitting garments, and quilts, working in many ways for this great day. As a result there are 10 full, well covered, gay and interesting stalls of wonderful exhibits.” said Lady Newall. ".Since 1 examined them in detail this morning, I am full of praise for your work, and feel sure the children of Europe, will be delighted and thrilled with your gifts. Well done, members of the Junior Red Cross, well done indeed I “It is much better to make things and to build something useful or beautiful than to destroy and knock down. Some of you ma.v think arithmetic is diflictilt. ■ but’ perhaps you are already discovering that many things in life are far more difficult than sums. 'With figures we always know the right answer, we always know the right answer is tno only one —six and four must always make 10. In life it is not so simple, for sometimes it is very puzzling to 'find the right answer. “Special credit goes to all the organizers, particularly to Jliss Small herself, whose idea it all was, and to every Red Cross member, junior or senior, who Ims done his or her part so generously mid so well. ' “May I say how delighted we are io welcome Lady Dull and to say ho" pleased we are to have her support.” said her Excellency, who told the boys and girls how much she had enjoye'd being their patroness during the past live sC “i ! ’r,m glad to think that you enlist SO early under the banner of the Red Cross,” said Sir Patrick Duff. "For it isn’t only in war, that the world cries out for the healing offices of the Red Cross and for the spirit which animates all its work.C Victory, which easts itsbright ray in front of us, reveals, like a motor's headlight on a rainy night in Wellington, many inky black shadows beside the path, where lurk many pitfalls and disabling vicissitudes for mankind. “Don’t ever think that the job of the Red Cross is finished because the actual fighting is finished and the war is won.” The afternoon concert included a demonstration by children from the Masterton Central Schoo] of a J.R.C. council meeting, the chairman, Robert On Hing, reading a speeefi of welcome to Lady Newall. Primary school children gave a demonstration of agility work. There were Maori items and Polish dances performed by children from the Polish camp, I’nhiatim', at both concerts. An international pageant and tableau ; was a colourful conclusion to each session. The music was by Mr. IL Temple White, and verses were composed by Mr. Johannes Andersen. Children in international costume took duties at the various stalls and formed part of the guard of honour for Lady Newall.