American Red Cross

Northern Advocate, 22 February 1943, Page 5

American Red Cross

One of the’ first questions she v/as always asked was where she came from, said Miss Hannah More Frazer (supervisor for New Zealand of the American Red Cross clubs and offcamp activities), when speaking at a morning tea given in her honour by the English-speaking Union,' Wellington. “I come from Texas,” said Miss More Frazer, “and like most Texans scattered about this country, you can’t be with us three seconds without finding that out.” There was a very large gathering of women at the tea party and they took an intense interest in what Miss More Frazer had to tell them of the activities of the American Red Cross. The peacetime programme, she said, was set up as a basis which they carried through in wartime with obligations to the able-bodied and their families as well as to the sick and wounded. Volunteers Backbone Of Success

She paid a tribute to her staff, which she said was outstanding and willing to work 24 hours a day. She also paid v tribute to the New Zealand women who had volunteered their services; the American Red Cross would ever be indebted to them. Even if it were possible to pay for all the asssitance they received, Miss More Frazer said she considered it would be the greatest mistake to do so. The volunteers were the backbone of the success that the American Red Cross had achieved in connection with its clubs and offcamp activities in this country. No paid staff could have done more or been as truly co-operative. She described what was being done in regard to the club that, is being established in- the Cecil Hotel and how the system of voluntary helpers will operate. “We are going to have a charming place which will mean o| lot to your boys and our boys. 11 will be run strictly on an Allied basis.” said Miss More Frazer. “Wo are not in- any way coming in on a competitive basis. We are here to fill a definite need.”

She stated that Mrs Raymond E. Cox, wife of the Consul-General for the United States, would be in charge of the voluntary helpers and would be at the Cecil Hotel from 2 to 5 every afternoon, except on Saturdays and Sundays, to enrol volunteers whom she wished to interview personally. Mrs E. D. Good, president of the women’s committee of the E.S.U.. thanked Miss More Frazer for her address. Another guest of honour was Mrs E. N. Flogben, wife of the new headmaster of Wellington College. Both were the recipients of lovely flowers. Mrs A. B. Stamp entertained with songs.

Later everyone inspected the splendid array of beautiful clothing made by the war work group for despatch overseas. Mrs Good stated that the five cases of clothing previously despatched had all reached their destination.