AIDING THE SICK

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 3

AIDING THE SICK

TO ASSIST WOUNDED AND PRISONERS OF WAR

CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS JOINT COUNCIL OF ST. JOHN AND RED CROSS The urgent necessity for the public’s whoie-hearted support of the forthcoming campaign to raise funds to ameliorate the lot of the sick and wounded and the prisoners of war was the purpose and theme of a well-attended and very representative meeting of citizens held in the R.S.A. social hall last evening under the auspices of the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross society, the principal speaker for the evening being Dr Alexander Gillies, of Wellington, the Dominion chairman of the joint council. The speakers outlined the form the forthcoming appeal would take. This campaign under the flag of mercy is to start on May 12 and continue until the end of the month. The joint council of these two organisations aims to raise £250,000 by a national appeal, and it is hoped to raise an initial sum of £25,000 in Otago. The joint council, a statutory body, has already been functioning for some time, and conveners of committees are now to be co-opted on to it, while further support was promised at last night’s meeting. The mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) was in the chair. In briefly outlining the proposal aimed- at by the joint council of the Order of St. John and the lied Cross, the Mavor touched upon the collecting agencies for war purposes. There were the provincial patriotic councils and the Patriotic War Funds Board. However, there wore certain exceptions outside these collecting agencies one being the joint council of St. John and Red Cross, which would collect its funds foi the sick and wounded and for prisoners of war, and hand it over to the Fund Board, which would spend it under Hie direction of the joint council of bt. John and Red Cross. pnmniugn wn.s to stait on -I'l* y 12 and the Provincial Patriotic Council would not only cease its own activities, but would actively assist this joint council’s appeal.for funds there was no more deserving case than , the sue curing of the sick and the prisoners of war. Ambulances had to be provided and equipped, and this was an expenS 'Y gome”knight feel that the need has not yet arisen for funds, for this purpose, but I feel it may arise urgently at anv moment,” the Mayor said. Ono had only to look at the papers these days. Everyone know Italy s objective. Our boys were camped along the banks of the Suez Canal, and if Italy came into the struggle the work of the joint council would be very urgent, and the necessity for the funds for which they were appealing would be urgent. SCHEME OUTLINED. Dr Gillies, in the course of his remarks. detailed how the work of St. John and Red Cross was joined together during the last war. Their work had been carried cm since then, and the joint council had spent at the rate of £12,000 a year on disabled soldiers, so it could readily he seen that £250,000, the amount now sought, would be spent long before 25 years after this war was concluded. The objective was a, very modest amount, but it had behind it the greatest appeal that could be placed before the people of New Zealand. There bad been a wonderful response from people, especially women, all over the country, Dr Gillies continued, but, wliile they "were anxious to knit or make articles, the great need of the moment was money. The appeal being launched was a national one. and he felt tho people of Otago would be behind it. The amount collected would go to the fund board, and through that body to St. John and Red Cross overseas.. Since the war started the Joint Council of St. John and Red Cross had been attending to onr prisoners. Time, there bad only been one, but unfortunately if the war extended there would be more. It was only through the Red Cross that communication could be had with prisoners of war. Dr Gillies again stressed the urgent necessity to put aside the knitting and sewing for a time and concentrate on funds. Everyone could help in this regard, he said. The urgent necessity was to collect money. The idea of starting the appeal on May 12, he added, was because that was tho birthday of Florence Nightingale. Tho leaders of the various churches 'had boon communicated with and asked that reference to that day be made. It was not desired that the churches should take up a collection, but that religious leaders should give a lead to tho propriety of subscribing to such a very • necessary campaign.' Dr Gillies said he felt the campaign was going to meet with a great response, especially in Otago, where the organisation was available, and where the mayor of. the city was at its head. Because of this he was sure Otago would have a lead oyer other centres in its contribution to the fund. COMMITTEES FORMED, Some detailed amplification of tho work of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and Red Cross was given by Mr H. L. Paterson, who stated that prisoners of war were being sent three parcels fortnightly. Money, to furnish these parcels was the urgent necessity. Auckland had already launched its campaign and aimed at getting £75,000. They in Dunedin hoped to get £25,000. ' . . Individuals and groups of individuals throughout town and country could assist in the appeal. It was proposed to have a house-to-houso canvass and to print stickers which could be placed in the front window of the individual homo. It was hoped every house would give at least 2s 6d. This was not asking too much, he thought. The Government had agreed to an art union, and word to this effect had been received. The first prize would he a house property valued at £2,500, but other prizes were required. These were to be in goods, not money, and he thought the business people could help here. Committees to carry on the work of raising funds were being formed and

certain men had offered their services as conveners of those committees. They had been co-opted on to the joint council, he said. Mr Paterson appealed to anyone representing any organisations to volunteer what assistance they could. Several members, while not committing their organisations, promised to assist where possible, and a list of names of these and other helpers was handed to Mr Paterson. The conveners of the committees set up are as follows:—Ways and means, Mr M. S. Myers; publicity, Mr L. H. Frude; sports, Mr S. Glendining; suburban house collection, Mr A. Thomas. There has also been a committee appointed for the complete canvass of the city business area, but the name of the convener is not yet available. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was passed to the mayor and Dr Gillies.