RED CROSS

Evening Star, Issue 19107, 26 November 1925, Page 11

RED CROSS

CONFERENCE OF NEW ZEALAND BRANCH Following the annual meeting of the executive of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, which was held in Dunedin yesterday, tho annual conference of the council was held in tho afternoon and attended by about twenty-five delegates, Sir R- Heaton Rhodes (president) in the chair. QUEEN MOTHER’S DEATH. On tho motion of the president, it was resolved, in due form —“That the council of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John desires to express its deep souse of the great loss the British nation has sustained through the dentil of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Alexandra, and begs with all respect to express its deep sympathy with His Most Gracious Majesty, the King and all members of the Royal Family in their sad bereavement.” It was also resolved to forward motions of condolence to tho immediate relatives of Mrs Walter Nathan (a member of the council) and Mrs Moorhouso (a member of the society), and to express appreciation of their valuable work.

Arrangements were made for the visiting delegates staying in Dunedin to attend the Queen Alexandra memorial service to be held on Friday morning in First Church. THE RERORT.

The President formally moved the adoption of tho report and balancesheet.

The report for the year ended March 31 showed that tho number of patients suffering war disability under treatment at the various institutions had slightly decreased. In tho Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin districts respectively 72, 106, 126, and 29 men—numbering 333 for the dominion—were under treatment at hospitals and sanatoria. In tho convalescent homes for men suffering from chronic disability as a result of war service at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin there wore seventy-four patients. From equipment sold during the year the sum of £313 jls 6d had accrued. Unremitting attention _ had been given to tho work of providing for ex-service men under treatment in the dominion sanatoria and hospitals, and complete issues of underclothing had boon made to necessitous persons as follows:—In Wellington 69, in Canterbury 289, in Otago 52, in Invercargill 29, approximately in respective values £ll2 15s 6d, £5lO Os 6d ? £lO2, and £B6 15s 6d, totalling approximately £Bll 11s 6d. On May 5, 1919, the League _ of Red Cross Societies was formed in Paris. The league comprised at tho date of its foundation the national Red Cross societies of Franco, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States. The membership of the league to-day includes fifty-four national Rod Cross societies. Under Article 23 of the Covenant of tho League of Nations “the members of the League agree to encourage and promote the establishment and co-ope-rafcion of duly authorised voluntary national Red Cross organisations.” This society was affiliated to the League o' Red Cross Societies, tho Commissioner in London, Dr Colquhoun, representing the society ou tho Board of Governors of that body. The year had been comparatively free from disaster relief. Two scholarship nurses—Misses A. E. Kirkpatrick and D. Christian—had been selected to go to England to undergo the international scholarship course at Bedford College inaugurated by tho League of Red -Cross Societies. Satisfactory progress was being -made by, those nurses and sisters iu the doafinion. Mr J. A. Flesher, in seconding the motion, said that the number of men in Red Cross homes was still high, and it looked as if these homes would have to be maintained for years to, come. The branch had a fair amount of money in hand, but from present appearances every penny would be needed. The Secretary (Mr M. S. Galloway) remarked that the Red Cross homes did not discriminate in regard to admissions. The only requirement was that the man had been on actual war service. Tho motion was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following were elected: —Patrons, His Excellency Sir Charles Fergusson and Her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergnsson; president, Sir it. Heaton Rhodes; vice-presidents—Sir James Gunson (Auckland), Mr L. 0. 11. Tripp (Wellington), Mr J. A. Flesher (Canterbury), Rev. V. G. Bryan King (Otago); Executive Committee—the president and vice-presi-dents, Mrs IV in. Duncan, Mrs Wigram, Dr W. E. Collins, Messrs L. 0. H. Tripp, J. Burnett, H. 1). Robertson, A. F. Roberts, S. F. Wright, and C. G. White.

The following aro the members of the New Zealand Council:—Auckland Centre: Mrs A. M. Ferguson, Miss J. E. Murray, Hon. G. H. Mr H. 1). Robertson, and Mr G. 11. Fleming. Wellington Centre; Lady Luke, Mrs W. Nathan (deceased), Mrs 'A. E. Girdling, Mrs li. Rose, Mrs H. R. Clark, and J. Burnett. Canterbury Centro: Mrs H. H. Smith, M.8.E., Mrs 0. J. Treloaven, Miss G. K. Guthrie, Mrs H. F. Wigram, Mr J. A. Flcshor (vice-president), and Mr H. L. Bowkcr. Otago Centre: Mr E. A. Rosevoar, Mr C. B. Smith, Miss Helen L. Williams, M.8.E., Mrs J. A. Hanan, Mr A. F. Roberts, Mr 0. G. White. ECONOMY AND ISSUES. The issuing of_ clothing to ex-soldier out-patients of institutions was informal iy discussed, and various members adhered to the principle of economy in this and other directions. Mrs H. 11. Smith (Canterbury) said that the pension of £2 was small, and that though only one issue was given to the men, she considered they were entitled to new clothing at the end of six months. Another delegate said that some men' were honest, whereas others would take advantage of the Bod Cross Society and immediately proceed to ihe \Var Relief Association’s depot for another issue. Mr Flesher (Canterbury) slated that in his district there was no overlapping, as there had been a considerable reduction in expense on clothing, although the society had tried to do justice. The Chairman suggested co-operation between the Red Cross Society and the War Belief Association as a remedy for overlapping, and this suggestion found favor. Mrs Rose said that in Wellington years ago parcels had been fitted up by the putting in of two pairs of some articles, and added that by supplying plug tobacco her society was saving this year from £6O to £7O. Lady Luke suggested the giving of two outfits at one time. GENERAL. The meeting agreed to place on record the valuable services of Miss Webster while she was the society’s nurse in Taranaki, and to convey to her its thanks and appreciation. It was agreed nnanimouslv that the next annual meeting he at Christchurch in May of 1926. _ , With the passing of votes of thames to the chairman and office-bearers, especially to Mr Galloway (secretary and treasurer), the conference concluded.