RED CROSS READY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 10

RED CROSS READY

MUCH WORK DONE

"WON'T LET PUBLIC DOWN"

An outline of the steps the Wellington Red Cross Society has been taking for some time to meet any emergency that may arise was , given to a "Post" reporter today by the secretary, Captain M. S. Galloway, M.C. The Red Cross Society had never let the public down yet, and never would, he said. It was prepared and ready to give training of considerable value in any emergency situation; all it desired was that people willing to be of help should offer their services to the society. Captain Galloway referred to the emergency body set up in Wellington under the City Council and which is representative of the Red Cross Society the Harbour Board, various other local bodies, and kindred organisations. This really was an outcome of the Hawke's Bay earthquake in 1931 he said, and the organisation was very complete and comprehensive. Under it the Red Cross Society had a definite responsibility, as a relief agency. In the event of an emergency arising casualty clearing stations would be set up in the city and suburbs and these would be in charge of qualified medical men already appointed to their stations by the local branch of the B.M.A. To these the trained personnel of the Red Cross Society would immediately report. REGISTER OPENED. "We have 14 sub-centres in Wellington," continued Captain Galloway. "All the suburbs, in fact, have their Red Cross sub-centre with trained personnel and all have had their instructions as to what to do and where to go should occasion arise. Since the threat of war overseas we have opened a list enabling people to register, not only as V.A.D.S, but as canteen workers, cooks, motor drivers, clerks, telephonists, and for various other work required in an emergency, so that we shall be able to classify them in their particular line for assistance. "In addition we have trained over 500 people in Wellington, men and women in the different districts, in first aid and Red Cross work, in the past three months. A notable feature is that organisations are linking up in a body and for special training to become a section of their organisation of the Red Cross V.A.D.s. An instance of this is the Victoria League Younger Set; forty-five of the younger people of this organisation are now in training. . "We are well prepared," Captain Galloway continued. "We are better prepared than we have ever been before, and we have the organisation that can train others if they will enlist. 'We have also a committee formed to look after sewing, knitting, and the preparation of bandages and impedi-