RED CROSS WORK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18412, 19 May 1920, Page 9

RED CROSS WORK.

THE GENEVA" CONFERENCE. . gi r> —Tho International Conference of the League of Red Cross Societies terminated at Geneva on March 10. Delegates were present from twentyseven nations. The conference was a great success and much enthusiasm was shown. Mr "Waldegrave, tho New Zealand Itcd Cross Commissioner in London, will post a full report to the Central Red Cross, Wellington, but as I am one of tho delegates i. am writing this, giving tho main points agreed on by the conference, so the people of Now Zealand will understand exactly tho objects of tho league. 1. The International Committee of tho Red Cross Societies is for war work only. The League of Red Cross Societies is for peace work. (The" British Rod Cross propose to alter their constitution to give the present committees power to form themselves into International Red Cross Societies for war work or League of Red Cross Societies for peace, in order to carry out tho work of either society.) 2. Finance—The league has enough money in hand for at least two years without calling on any country to subscribe. If New Zealand joins the league, as I sincerely hope she will, she will be asked in two years time to find her quota which will he small/ Tho council have not yet decided on what form thi3 quota shall be fixed. 8. The league wish to leave the internal management of Red Cros9 societies in each country to themselves to make what arrangements and rules they like. It was suggested privately that each delegate who attended tho Geneva conference should have a seat on tho executive in the country they represent when they return home. This will help to keep tho objects' of the league before them. 4. Ono Week a year is to he set aside in- every country for an appeal for membership of the League of tho Red Cross. This appeal is to be held in the month of May every year. 5. The objects of the League of the Red Cross are recognised in tho Covenant of the League of Nations, which reads as follows:—"The members of the league agree to encourage and promote the establishment and co-operation of duly authorised voluntary national Ued Cross organisations, having as purposes tho improvement of health, the prevention of disease and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world."

6. The League of tho Red Cross in each country is not to interfere or take over existing societies already working for tiie benefit of mankind, but to offer to help them with finance mid organisation. The league is to try and obtain better living conditions for workers on land and sea; to look after child welfare; help with district nurses. In fact, they are to take up any object that they think will be a benefit to humanity in nil tho countries of tho world.

I feel sure I am expressing tho (sentiments of every delegate who was present at. tho Geneva conference when T say the League of tho Red Crosw will do more to promote good feeling between nations, do away with class feeling, and prevent future wars than any scheme that has* ever been suggested in the history of ifchfc world.— I am, etc., BERNARD TRIPP, _ New Zealand delegate at Geneva ~ lied Cross Conference. London, March 12.