RED CROSS SOCIETY

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1937, Page 6

RED CROSS SOCIETY

Centre Formed AT GREYMOUTH. Over 35 were present at a public meeting last evening at the CouneT Chambers', -when it was dee'ded to form a Wes.f Coast 'Centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society.

The Mayor (Mr W. Meldrumj presided, and there were also present Airs Meldriini, Off A- 11- McKane. Sister BJ- Stringer, members of the Women’s Institute, Returned Soldiers’ As-oc a■tion, and Order of St John. Mr Meldrum said that the society wa./ working in 63 countries, and had its headquarters at Geneva. It was doing wonderful work all over the world not only in time of war, but also in rel’eving 'international calamities and accidents. There was definite need for the society in Greymouth. Major J- Abel, V-D-, Dominion President of the Society, said that the , Red Ciioss covered a huge field, working from the International Comm'ttee lat Geneva, and every signatory State of the Geneva Convention had agreed to- foster Ihe society within its country. He explained the workings of the committee, and traced its associat on 'through the national organisat ons ■ down to the work penf'orined by each '-separate centre. He dealt with the i Joint Council for New Zealand winch [comprised delegates from the Red Gros's and Order of St John, both societies now work’ng in close co-opera- | tion- The League of Nations Covenant I laid 'it down that the Red Cross Society was to endeavour] to improve public health, prevent disease, and mitigate sufferings. The Internal onal Committee itself remained absolutely neutral, and the whole organisation made no distinction as to class, creed Or colour in its membersh p. There was a membership of over! twenty millions, half being in the Junior Rod Cross- Major Abel referred to the working of the society in times o; calamity, mentioning particularly the good done during the Napic r earthquake- At that time, although no appeal was issued,) over £4,000 came from 20 countries as a free gift for earthquake sufferers. In the Bihar 'lndia) earthquake, New Zealand had contributed £4OO, being second on the list. Referring to the work in New Zealand, Major Abel said that a centre covering the whole of the West Coast was needed with headquarters at Grieymouth. Each sub-centre would send delegates to the centre, which in turn would send two delegates to the Dominion Council- The local centre controlled the whole of its own activities. The society had to prepare for national disasters, because New Zealand was rated as a “disaster'' country by the League, and its disaster! funds were never u-ed for administration purposes- Voluntary aid detachments. organised on military I nes, were trained in first a'd, home nursing, hygiene, and sanitation. This work was welcomed by the hospitals, and .was valuable in induc'ng girls to become nunses. Special attention was being paid to highways first aid, and much good should result. Major Abel concluded by referring' to the Junior Red Cross and its work, and said that the Dominion Executive would be delighted to assist in any way in having the society properly t>. tabl'shed here-

Sister) Stringer explained the work in the schools, in which the Health and Education Departments freely cooperated. Whole sehobls were enrolled and Ihe Jpnior Society's work was ■mainly in' promoting international goodwill by the exchange of portfolios of handwork between countries. The gijeat interest taken by teachers and children was rcspon-iible lor the remarkable growth of the society, which required no contribution from the children-

After Majoi/ Abel had answered a large number of questions, Mr MeKane moved that -a West Coast Centre be formed, with headquarters m Greymouth.

Seconding the motion, Mr W- IL Parfitt said that ha had been connected with the Orden of St John for many years as had c’glit of those present and he wished to assure the Red Cross Society of |hc full co-operation of the Order. The motion was carried, and I lie. names of 35 members were handed 'nThe following offieeits were elected: President: The Mayor (ex officio)Chairman -of executive: Mrs G- W. MeadeSecretary: Mr Leonard B- Hutchison. Provisional committee: Mesdames WMeldrum, J- F- C- Moore. E- McDonnell, Tilleyshont; Dr Moore; Messrs W- Wallwork and L- Teasdale- Messrs Me.Kane, Parfitt, Batty and Rothera, and Mrs F- H- Denton declined inationIt was announced that Dr Moore had agreed- to conduct lecturesDr Moore said that he was firm 1 ’ convinced of the value of the society’s worjfc. because he could notice the great ignorance, existing about hygiene and home nursing. ,Th's was particularly noticeable in Greymouth, where the few simple procedures which every woman and girl should know, were sadly neglected. The course t° be given would supply the desirable need, and he hoped that many would take advantage of itThe meeting closed with a vote of thanks -to Major Abel and S’ster Stringer for their addresses, and to the Mayor for presiding-