THE RED CROSS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1938, Page 7

THE RED CROSS

WORLD CONFERENCE

N.Z. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

"Fifty-eight of the sixty-eight Red Cross countries sat for four days in St. James's Palace, welcomed by the Queen's message. The Duke of Gloucester was present. There was not one dissenting word. A great deal of time was taken up with suggestions for removing the women and children to safety from the cities in the event of air raids. Every county council was asked to take so many out of the cities."

In these words Mrs. T. H. Lowry, 0.8. E., president of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, and, with Lady Wigram (Christchurch), New Zealand representative at the international Red Cross conference in London in June, reported to the Dominion council at a meeting held to welcome her back. Mrs. Lowry continued that Sir Arthur Stanley, president of the British Red Cross Society, entertained all international delegates to lunch on the opening day. A representative from each country attended his first International Council meeting, held at Grosvenor Square. .An outstanding personality was Madame Marzakova (president of the Czechoslovakian Red Cross, and daughter of President Masaryk) who made an impressive speech explaining what they had accomplished with their three days Red Cross truce at Easter, with the blessing of the Church and the Parliament. During that time, she said, no word of controversy was written in the Press, but every writer and every person gave his whole effort for peace and for the betterment of the Red Cross movement. CONFERENCE OPENED. On June 20 the International Conference'was opened by the Duke of Gloucester with a message from' the Queen, where 58 out of 61 countries were represented. Altogether 300 people were present, the Government of each country having a representative. Dr. Bernard Myers, New Zealand's representative on the board of governors of the League of Red Cross Societies, was also present. Professor Max Huber made a remarkable speech. The Hon. Norman H. Davis, the newly-elected chairman of the League of Red Cross Societies, read the message from the Queen, in which she said: "I earnestly hope that the conference will contribute to the further strengthening of the power for good which our movement represents, and bring nearer the day when the Red Cross will be universally regarded as an effective guarantee that human sufferings, where they cannot be prevented, shall nowhere continue to go unrelieved." Lady Wigram and Mrs. Lowry sent a wreath from the New Zealand Red Cross Society to the funeral of the Countess of Strathmore, the Queen's mother. In the evening the delegates were entertained by the British Government at Lancaster House, Sir Thomas and Lady Inskip receiving them. LORD MAYOR'S RECEPTION. The next evening the Lord Mayor of London gave a reception at the Guildhall to all international delegates, and on the afternoon of June 23 King George and the Queen Mother received them at Buckingham Palace. Lady Wigram and Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Lowry represented New Zealand at all these functions. They attended the general commission fror three days. This was held at B.M.A. House. They reported that the New Zealand people had collected over £8000 for the Far East Appeal. Dr. McClure, who had flown from China to report to the conference on relief work there, said: "A week ago I left China and your doctors, Drs. Tremewan and Gray, are doing splendid work." He said they could do with more doctors. On June 24 the final meeting of the delegates was held at, St. James' Palace, and the reports of all commissions were read. On the morning of June 25 the League council meeting was held, and finally the conference was brought to a close by a service held in St. Paul's Cathedral, where 5000 nurses and V.A.D.S in uniform filled j the church. ' The Archbishop of Canterbury preached. The Princess Royal, in uniform, attended. The Lord Mayor and his retinue in full regalia, preceded by the colour bearers in bright scarlet, j

the church.

carrying the Red Cross flag, which was placed in the altar at the commencement of the service, also attended.

In his sermon, the Archbishop blessed the work of the societies throughout the world. After the service all delegates were presented to the Princess Royal on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Mrs. Lowry brought a message from Mr. Davis, chairman of the Board of Governors of the League of Red Cross Societies, as follows: —"Thus the Red Cross can help the people of the world not only to relieve suffering inflicted on human beings in war and in peace, but also to move forward towards the attainment of what we all so earnestly desire—-peace, good will, and fellowship among mankind."