RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1934, Page 6

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

SOUTH TARANAKI COUNCIL HAWERA RESOLUTIONS DISCUSSED. NO FINALITY REACHED. At the annual meeting of the South Taranaki Hi?ti Cross, Council liclcl in the Oddfellows’ Hall at Kaponga last even in cr a very lengthy discussion ensued regarding the attitude of the Hawera branch, expressed in its resolution of no-confidence in the council and its 'decision to go" into recess, pending a definite statement of administrative policy bv the newly-formed New Zealand‘Red Cross Society. The mam bone of contention between the Hawera branch and the council appeared to be the council’s alleged delay in moving towards replacing Sister L. G. Small as'Red Cross nurse. The president of the council (Mr I. J. Bridger) outlined the action which had been taken by the council, and stated that the matter was one of furnace. No finality was reached and the meeting was adjourned for one week. ’ Delegates present at the meeting were Mr Bridger (in tlie chair) and Mrs Realces (ELtliam), Mesdames Tait Evans,- Dawson and Guy (Kaponga), Mrs King (Hawera), secretary of the council, and Messrs E. _ K.-i Cameron and W. G. Simpson (Hawera). An-apol-ogy for absence was received from Mrs Darling (Eltham). The Opunake branch was not represented. In the annual report reference was made to the Junior Red Cross’ work, which had been 'conducted in an energetic manner, and great keenness had been displayed by the large membership <xf this section. The banner recently donated by tlie centre for competition among the schools of South Taranaki was competed for by over 400 children representing 42 schools. The marks received by each school revealed careful and expert training by Sister Small and aLso keen and intelligent interest on the part of the scholars. Congratulations were extended to the Te Roti school team, which secured 95 per cent, of the possible marks, thereby winning the banner. A very successful function was arranged by the mistress of the school (Mrs Finch) and the Te Roti ladies in connection with the presentation. Amongst those present were Sir Walter arid Lady Carncross, Major Abel (chairman of the Dominion executive), and the chairman of the South Taranaki council. Sir Walter Carncross made the presentation and congratulated the school. After a very successful term of approximately three years in South Taranaki, where the work of the Red Cross had made phenomenal progress, Sister Small had been transferred and the present arrangement regarding the payment of salary with the Health Department had been can cel led, creating a very" serious ' loss to the district-, and also, very serious difficulties for the future, riot only in South, but also in North Taranaki. The position created would reauire very deep and serious consideration during the year. The transfer of Sister Small who had rendered expert and energetic service to the district was deeply regretted. She had been a capable administrator and had displayed deep interest in her work.

All sub-centres under the council’s jurisdiction had functioned energetically during the past year and rendered valuable sea-vice *Ln each locality ill maintaining the peace-time principles and objects of the society. lii each sub-centre the relief of distress had occupied much time and considerable quantities of clothing, both new and used, hod 'been distributed to the needy. In many other ways mucljt appreciated service had been rendered to the community: Home nursing and first-aid classes bad been held in all the principal centres with very satisfactory examination results. A voluntary aid detachment had been inaugurated at Hawera and had rendered valuable assistance in various capacities. The first-aid members in Hawera and Eltham had rendered (signal service on the various fields of sport by'giving first-aid to the injured, and thanks were due to the doctors of' tlie district for the valuable instruction and teaching imparted to the classes and for acting as examiners. During the year a team from Hawera competed for the Collins Cup at New Plymouth and was successful in winning this coveted cup, which is open for competition throughout the Dominion. Sincere eongratulalations were extended to Sister. Small, to the captain (Sirs Ueitcli) and to tfie team.

The financial position of the centre was somewhat low compared with the previous year, due to the fact that the expenses 'had been heavier than usual, and the revenue for .sub-centres had not increased during the past year. It would be necessary for the council during the coming year, not only to consolidate its financial position, but also to raise the sum of approximately £BO for head office levy. At would be necessary to ask the sußcentres to arrange "a special effort in aid of Red Cross special and administration funds. In moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts the chairman referred to the small balance in hand and the necessity for the council to augment its funds. .The departure of Sister Small. was disastrous hut unavoidable owing to the cancellation by the Government of the part of salary paid. A similar position now existed in Wellington, Can-

terbury and Dunedin, where the nurses had been taken away from the Red Cross; He understood the'Wellington centre had decided' to its nurse' and pay her salary itself North Taranaki had secured" the services of two ex-uurses, who would do "voluntary work in -order to keep the movement going. He ' hud been informed that the Health Department was releasing nurses at the age of 40 years; and 7 no doubt many of these would be available for Red Cross work at' a small remuneration. Many of them would be interested' in the Red Cross work, and this would perhaps be one way but of the difficulties''' until such ' time as siifficient money can he" raised to justify the' South Taranaki council engaging a ‘nurse* at a fixed salary. The work need not cease, because, apart from the training classes and educational work, there were many ways of rendering service to the people in various districts who were in distress. This was a very important part' of Red Cross work and it was necessary that the branches should all pull together in an effort to overcome their difficulties. A very encouraging feature was the improvement shown by the Junior Red Cross movement in the schools. The banner presented by the council for competition in the schools had done much to stimulate interest among the. children. The introduction of Red Cross work into the schools

was a definite forward move and would undoubtedly result in much benefit accruing 'to the scholars-;- -they would acquire knowledge which would be of incalculable value in later years. Sir Walter Carncross was re-elected as patron and Mr. Ira J. Bridger president. . Plriior (to the election to fill the office of president Mr. Cameron said he desired at that stage to make it clear that neither he nor Mr. Simpson had any voting power at the meeting. They had come to the meeting in order to present to the council the resolutions passed at ■ the annual meeting of the Hawera branch ■" Had he been eligible to do so’ he would liavd moved for the re-election of Mr.' Bridger j which lie hoped would-be done. • The appointment'* r of a- vice-pres 1 dent and secretary was held over..'-" - cr

A very lengthy discussion ensued regarding tlie resolutions passed by'the Hawera branch (reported in yesterday’s issue of tlie “Hawera Star”), but no finality was reached and the meeting adjourned for one week.