IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 76, 26 September 1942, Page 6

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

A recent report on the activities of the New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner in the Middle East states that since the recent hostilities commenced the Commissioner has had a considerable amount of additional work to do, but, as he states, all the helpers, both voluntary and other, rose to the occasion, and at the time of making the report (July 15, 1942) he stated that "since the division has been in action there have been large numbers of casualties, and our men have been admittted to British hospitals in all areas." These extra patients called for additional travelling. As each man was visited, he received the following articles: Towel, soap, writing pad, envelopes, pencil, 20 cigarettes, tooth brush, tooth paste or powder, razor and razor blades, shaving brush, shaving soap, comb, handkerchief, mirror, and matches. These articles were really necessary, as some of the men had only the clothes they stood up in, and the gift, which was from the Sick and Wounded Fund, was greatly appreciated by the recipients. The same treatment was accorded to all New Zealanders, irrespective of where they were located.

As most of our units were withdrawn from Syria and other places in that vicinity, it was found necessary to .transfer the Red Cross details also. Care was taken, however, to see that those New Zealanders who were left behind were not forgotten, and. the Commissioner arranged with the officer commanding the hospital to have the chaplains make weekly issues to all patients.

Since the Commissioner's previous report, opportunity has been taken to meet the Red Cross representatives of all other countries operating in that area, the result being that he met the British, Indian, South African, Australian, and American Red Cross representatives, and contact was also made with representatives of the International Red Cross from Geneva.

The library side of the hospitals is one of the main divisions of help, and the Commissioner is most active in seeing that the men are well provided with good reading matter, and regular supplies of all kinds of books are added to those already in the hospital libraries. Books are also issued to the ' casualty clearing stations, field ambulances, rest homes, and camp hospitals.

During the recent campaign, all kinds of available foodstuffs were sent to the field units for distribution, and the action was very much appreciated