RED CROSS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 142, 12 December 1935, Page 12

RED CROSS

.WORK OF SOCIETY

HON. P. FRASER'S TRIBUTE

HEALTH EDUCATION

Expressions of gratitude to the New Zealand Red Cross Society for the work it has done and is continuing to do in the community were voiced by the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Praser), the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), Dr. F. T. Bowerbank, and others at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Red Cross Society in Wellington today. The speakers also emphasised the desirability of consolidation and unification of effort.as between the society, the Order of St. John, and kindred organisations. The president (Mr. C. J. Ronaldson) congratulated Mr. Fraser upon his appointment to the important office held by him in the new Cabinet, and expressed appreciation of his acceptance of the society's invitation to be present. He welcomed also Colonel J. J. Esson (Dominion chairman of the Order of St. John), Mr. C. Falconer (Dominion secretary of the Order of St. John), Dr. Watt, Miss M. Lambie (director of the Nursing Division), Mr. E. J. Parr (chief inspector of secondary schools), Native school inspectors, and several others. Mr. Fraser said he could not be otherwise than familiar with the work of the Red Cross Society. He wished to pay it a tribute and express his great appreciation of the work performed by it, particularly during the worst stages of the depression. Just as when the earthquake occurred in Hawke's Bay, the Red Cross Society had stepped forward offering assistance and had carried a great deal of the burden until such time as the Unemployment Board, various funds, and other organisations had been established. He was very pleased to see that not only did the Health Department work in with the society but also the Education Department, particularly the Native schools' section, which accepted gladly the help given by the society. It so happened that the two departments were mutually interested in' regard to the health of the children, and he was very pleased that the Red Cross Society had taken up its work' among the Native children. _ Mr. Fraser made special reference to the need for safeguarding the health of Maori children, his remarks in 'this connection appearing under separate headings. ORDER OF ST. JOHN. Commenting upon the society's report Mr. Fraser said he had been impressed with the many and various activities that were undertaken. One paragraph in the report had given him particular pleasure, and that was the one referring to the relationship between the society and the Order of St. John. He was familiar with the work of the Order of St. John, with its splendid ambulance and first-aid work, and with its beneficent work for needy people. With two such organisations working harmoniously together, each having at its command steady, persistent enthusiasm,, and with the aid of various Government departments and the experience and good will of other people, it should be possible to do even more lor the health of the people, particularly for the health of the children. That was the aim of the society; it was the aim of the Government departments concerned, and it was the aim of the Government. On behalf of the Government he extended to the society cordial and best wishes for the continued success and expansion of the society and the kindred societies working in co-opera-Dr. Watt thanked the society for its work, particularly in the interests of health education. One of the primary functions of the Health Department was to inform the public in matters of health, and it would be a hopeless task but for the assistance of societies such as the Red Cross. Dr. Watt said he also retained a grateful recollection of the assistance afforded by the society in the dark days following the Hawke's Bay earthquake disaster. At the present time the society again was associated with the Department in its work among the Maoris. "My presence here," concluded Dr. Watt, "is an indication of my interest in the society, and I thank you sincerely for all you have done for us in the past, and express best wishes for your success and prosperity in the future." HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP. Colonel Esson conveyed felicitations on'behalf of the Order of St. John and best wishes for a successful gathering. The Order of St. John, he said, was intensely interested in Red Cross work. The two organisations were working in accordance with the agreement entered into between the two parent bodies in the Old Country, and they were doing so in a very friendly and harmonious way. The joint war committee was still -in existence. He thought that sooner or later it would be merged into a national institution, and he hoped that when that merger took place the men and women who had rendered such splendid service on the committee would not be lost. Dr. Bowerbank, Director of Medical Services, said that in, peace-time as well as in war-time the Red Cross Society should be functioning efficiently. Since the Napier earthquake, with the co-operation of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society, it had been possible to draw up a scheme not only for Wellington but for New Zealand generally which would be of tremendous benefit in any earthquake disaster. As a medical man, the work of the Red Cross Society interested him intensely. One had only to go round to realise how frightfully ignorant the average man and woman w,as regarding medical and health measures. There were not slums in New Zealand such as in Continental countries, but at the same time conditions did exist which were not' in the interests of the country. In this respect alone there was a field of service for the Red Cross Society, and he was quite sure the society would be willing and able to assist. "I would like to wish your society every success in the coming year," added Dr. Bowerbank, "as I am quite sure we are only really beginning this great work." .