OVERSEAS RELIEF

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1944, Page 6

OVERSEAS RELIEF

N.Z. Council Set Up

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 18. •At a Doriiinion Conference held in Wellington, convened jointly by the National Council of Churches, the Red Cross Society, and the Society of Friends, a New Zealand Council of Organisations for Internatiorial Relief Service was established provisionally upon subsequent confirmation of its constitution by the constituent members. The meeting was presided over by Mr. C. G. White, Chairman of the Dominion Executive of the Red Cross Society, who described tne woi'ld pattei-n for international relief and rehabilitation as evolved by the 44 United and associated nations at the first session of the U.N.R.R.a. Council, held last November. The objects of the New Zealand Council are to assist devastated peoples and countries in need of relief and rehabilitation, arid to advise and assist the New Zealand Government in the fulfilment of, its obligations under the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, in particular: (a) To provide means for consultation with the Government in all matters pertaining to overseas relief and rehabilitation, including the possibility of the collection and utilisation of funds for relief purposes; (b) to co-ordinate the activities of ail organisations and-individuals interested in overseas relief and coiripile a register of such persons qualified to engage in that work, and to facilitate their training and selection; (c) to compile a register of materials and goods held by interested organisations and available for the administering of relief in the field; (d) to advise and assist in developing a public opinion which will support tne responsibilities of, and steps to be taken by the Government in the fulfilment of its obligation under U.N.R.R.A. “Britain set up its Council of British Societies for Relief Abroad some •two years ago. America has a similar Council, and Australia has just established its Council for U.N.R.R.A.'’ said Mr. White, who considered that the formation of such a Council here was overdue, especially since the fact that this country has been spared tn e destruction of war placed a greater obligation on us to give gratefully and freely of trie rich blessings bestowed upon us. Accredited representatives were present frorn the Boy Scouts’ Association, Girl Guides’ Association, tne Inter-Church Council on Public Affairs (which includes the Roman Catholic Church), the National Council of Churches, the National Council of Women, the National Missionary Council, the Red Cross Society, the Registered Nurses’ Association, tne Student Christian Moverrient, the Society of Friends’ Relief and Reconstruction Committee, the Y.W.C.A., and the Zionist Council of New Zealand, with observers from business and professional women's clubs and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation. The British Medical Association, the Ordqr of St. John and the Y.M.C.A. were hot able to be present.