FAR EAST RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 17, 21 January 1938, Page 16

FAR EAST RELIEF

CHINESE APPEAL

Plans for future activity, and for the organisation of relief to refugees in the war-stricken areas of China, were discussed at a meeting yesterday afternoon of the executive committee of! the Far East belief Fund. Dr, A. Gillies presided.

Mr. M. S. Galloway reported that donations received amounted to £3602 10s Id, including the Government cheque of £1000. There were still approximately 600 subscription lists and a number of books of stamps to be returned. The joint council, through its special committee consisting of Sir James Elliott, and Drs. A. Gillies and T. D. M. Stout, had met and appointed Dr. R. B. Grey for service in the Far East. The executive committee had been set up, said Mr. Galloway, to raise its quota of £2000 of the £10,000 aimed at for the Dominion, and it had accomplished its object. The closing of the appeal had been announced and the public had responded generously.

Mr. C. Meachen reported that there was a likelihood of another member of the medical profession leaving for the Far East'about February 8. The money collected for the appeal had reached £6182 8s 9d, of which £4768 2s 5d Was subscribed by the people of the Dominion and £1447 13s Gd'by the Government and by various local bodies. J Describing some of the conditions existing in China at present, Mrs. M. Lewis, who had been invited to attend the meeting, said that the mail connection between Shanghai and the outside world still existed, despite rumours to the contrary. About 7000 refugees had poured into Hong Kong after hostilities had commenced, and they presented a problem.

A letter from Mrs. C. H.Kan, secretary of the Hong Kong branch of the Chinese National Women's Slelief Association, was read by Mrs. Lewis. It said that because the war situation was continually changing, the base hospitals behind the old defence lines had become useless. Together ■■ with the provincial officers and experienced doctors of the two provinces of Kwantung and Kwangsi, the association had been trying to establish more base hospitals along the Kwantung and Kwangsi borders, which could serve as base hospitals during the war, and hospitals for disabled soldiers after the war was concluded.