RED GROSS WORK

Evening Star, Issue 23565, 2 May 1940, Page 13

RED GROSS WORK

RAPID PROGRESS MADE ANNUAL MEETING ADDRESSED BY DR GILLIES Enthusiasm had been responsible lor rapid progress in the work of the Otago branch of the Mew Zealand Red Gross Society, it was revealed by speakers at the annual meeting last night, when the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) was in the chair. Dr Alexander Gillies, Dominion chairman of the society, was also present, and briefly addressed members on the work of the society, making particular reference to the joint appeal being made for £250,000 for a sick, wounded, and distress fund. TIME FOR HELP. “ Mo one could have visualised in March of last year,” said the Mayor, moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, “ that six mouths later we would be in the throes of war. Such a state of conflict, however, gives a tremendous opportunity for work by members of this society, which has as its special objective the care of the sick and the wounded, whether at the front or on their return to Mew Zealand. At the present time it seems a possibility that our men in Egypt will be called upon for active service, for if Italy entered the war—and reports indicate that such a, step on her part is not unlikely—then Dominion troops will undoubtedly go into action. In that event it is more than wo can hope that there will not bo wounded who will need your help.” Mr Allen congratulated the society on attaining its first birthday, and said that members had thrown themselves heartily into Red Cross work during the past year. The fact that 362 girls had qualified in homo nursing, 361 in first aid, and 277 in hygiene was indeed astisfactory. Equally satisfactory was the qualification of 350 girls trained by the St. John Ambulance Association, in air raid precautions. The Mayor made special reference to the work of Mr Smeaton in connection with the air raid precautions scheme, stating that, as mayor, he appreciated deeply the whole-hearted effort made by Mr Smeaton in that direction. Mr Allen also congratulated the V.A.D.s who had paraded on Anzac Day on their fine hearing, and made reference to the excellent state of the society’s finances. A credit of £436 after 12 months’ operations, he said, was highly gratifying, and showed that the branch had been launched under very favourable circumstances. HUGE TASK. Mr J. W. Smeaton, chairman of committees, who seconded the motion, said that few members fully realised the magnitude of the work done by the society in the past year. A tremendous amount of voluntary work had been carried out,with the utmost enthusiasm, in spite of handicaps, such as a shortage of instructors and training manuals. The society was deeply grateful to the doctors and nurses who had assisted in the training of members. “At a time like this, when the war issue is paramount, I want this society to lend itself to the joint council appeal .for funds,-- concluded Air. Smeaton. ' There would be opportunities given the members to join any of the six sub-committees to aid in the collection —entertainment, sports, ways and means, house-to-house canvassing, business house canvassing, and publicity. The report and balance sheet were adopted. A GENEROUS GESTURE. The Mayor referred to the generosity of Airs Charles Speight, who, ho said, had given the society the use of three rooms in the city, rent free, for the duration of the war and six months afterwards. This would enable the branch to carry out work without being cramped for space, and the branch was deeply grateful for this valuable contribution. Airs Speight had also provided throe rooms in the same building for the Red Cross and Order of St. John for those bodies’ joint appeal for funds. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were appointed ns follows: President, the mayor (Air A. H. Allen) ; vice-president, Aliss B. APLean; chairman, Air J. IV. Smeaton; committee—Alisscs J. Harrison, I. Packer, _ D. Ramsay. J. Robertson, and T. Paine were added to the list of last year; lion, treasurer. Air E, J. G. Johnstone: lion, secretary. Miss Olga C. Mees; hon. auditor, Air K. T. Parker. WORK OF V.A.D.S. Full appreciation of the work of the society was expressed by Sister AI. Jeffery, of the Health Department. She voiced the opinion that.the excellent bearing and fine marching of the V.A.D.s at the Anzac Day parade could not but have aroused enthusiasm. The force would do valuable work on war service. A T .A.D.s would bo picked from Christchurch and Dunedin, but must have completed their six years’ training. They would then he recommended to headquarters. On service they would receive 30s for a week of 48 hours, with a day off each week. Others who were not successful in being nominated should carry on with the work, all of which was useful, she concluded. EFFORT ON HOME FRONT. Congratulations on the effort of the Otago branch during the year were tendered by Dr Alexander Gillies, of Wellington. In 1937 the need for a Red Cross Society in Dunedin had been stressed at headquarters, and ho was proud of the success achieved by ibe now centre since in training 1,000 persons in the work. V.A.D.s wore organised well in other parts of the Dominion; Dunedin would do well in competition in nursing. Overseas the work of the V.A.D.s was being organised, and although the work of the branch would not be overseas, it would be much the same. V.A.D.s abroad were being called upon to work inside hospitals, with sick and wounded soldiers until they were put back again into civilian life; the training of the Otago branch would be on the same lines. This service was assisting the Health Department considerably. Those who gave up their time to work of this nature were deserving of special praise from the department in the alleviation of human suffering. What the Order of St. John did on Displaying fields and in ambulance services, the Red Cross Society was doing as its work in hospitals. Aledical men in a time of emergency owed a debt of gratitude to fids body of trained workers that was aide to sten into the gap. Representing the council of 67 it’torivithmal soele+ies to further Red Cros-s Or Chibs sahi that one of its duties was to keep branches in touch,

so that the work could be furthered. The Joint Council was to give unity in the work of furthering the war effort. There was a tremendous task awaiting those who were to welcome hack those men who had been overseas. Money was necessary to provide aid and comfort, and the Appeals Committee asked that the Otago branch should assist as much as possible in the collection of funds. The incentive in Dunedin to raise as big a,fund as possible was to provide necessary aid for those men returning to the city from overseas. Money collected would he put into the Sick. Wounded, and Distress I'Tmd of the Patriotic Hoard, and when reciuirod would he provided hv the hoard. Anv residue after the need for Ihe fund had passed would he used for some nrvent patriotic purpose, concluded Dr Cillies. who was accorded a hcarly vote of thanks.