TRIBUTE TO THE RED CROSS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 33, 7 August 1918, Page 9

TRIBUTE TO THE RED CROSS

GENERAL RICHARDSON SENDS INFORMATION.

Mr. Joseph Joseph has received the following letter from General Richardson, covering- New Zealand Red Cross work and contributions: —"Dear Sir. —In response to your request for information re the New Zealand Bed Cross work in . the N.Z.E.F., I am of the opinion that no sick and wounded soldiers are better looked after than New Zealand soldiers in hospitals in England. They receive the best medical attention, and the additional comforts provided by the New Zealand Bed Cross are ample and much appreciated. Furthermore, the men are entertained and given trips from time to time to a greater ■ decree than most soldier patients,' euch trips being defrayed by the New Zealand Red Cross. I have never asked for "anything: from the New Zealand Bed Cross which has not been prompUy supplied. "The lady woi-ters are admirable and the men appreciate their kindness very much. The men do not, however, always realise that what is being done for them is the result of the New Zealand Red Cross ' organisation, but are of opinion that they have the War Contingent Association to thaDk for the attention bestowed upon them. This is due to the New Zeafand War Contingent Association being instituted before the New Zealand Bed Cross had been properly organised, but now that these two organisations have been separated, and more prominence given to the New Zealand Red Cross, it should soon become known by the sick and wounded men that it is the New Zealand Red Cross which specially provides for their comfort and welfare, and that this organisation is supported by their mothers and relatives in New Zealand. "Colpne^the Hon. Heaton Rhodes has recently visited .all the N.Z.E.F. units in both France and England, and is thoroughly conversant with what is required, and is placing the New Zealand Red Cross on a sound footing. "At the same time I would like to say that ever Bince my arrival in England the New Zealand War Contingent Association which included in its organisation the New Zealand Redi Cross —has done everything we required, and has looked after our sick and- wounded most thoroughly; but it is undoubtedly the right thing to have the New Zealand Red Cross separate from any other organisation which deals with fit men. "In regard to the spending of money,, you mentioned that the New Zealand people had an idea that Red Cross money was not boing spent so freely as it might be. I think the first- thing to ensure is that it is judiciously spent, and this can be ensured if the Red Cross Commission,er works in elope co-operation with the military authorities, thereby avoiding overlapping; this is now being done. You should bear in mind that the New Zealand R-ed Cross will have, a great deal to do on demobilisation, and that there will be a great demand on its funds for some time after the end of the war. "I advise you to consider'the question of R-ed Cross work in New Zealand on demobilisation; also that you establish a good organisation, which will be a permanent one in readiness for future requirements. "The New Zealand Bed Cross has now traditions and a good record, which ehould assist you in maintaining a thoroughly good organisation in the Dominion after the war."