RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17032, 13 December 1918, Page 6

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES.

OBLIGATIONS OF FUTURE, NEED FOR FUTURE FUNDS. A tentative suggestion that a nurses' memorial home might be erected by the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, in honour of nurses who had died on duty at the war and during the epidemic, was put forward by tho Mayor foi tho consideration of members at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee. Mr. Gunson made it quite plain at that time that the proposal was not one which he wished to force in any way; such a scheme would be entirely conditional upon tho funds of the Red Cross permitting such an expenditure, £25,000, after trie needs of the soldiers and all other obligations had been fully met. The matter was re-introduced (it yesterday's meeting of tho Joint Committee, when a letter from the secretary of the Trained Nurses' Association was read, drawing attention to the fact that a -<ew Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund was already in existence, and it was considered undesirable to create a second when the present fund was urgently in need of assistance.

Mr. C. F. Bickford stated that an impression had unfortunately gained ground in some quarters that the society had more money than it needed. This was entirely wrong. Members supported this view, the chairman, the Hon. G. Fowlds, stating that although the war was over there would bo heavy demand on all Red Cross organisations for a long time to come. He earnestly hoped there would be no falling off in contributions, for the society would need a large amount of money for tho continuance of its work among the soldiers, even after they had all returned home. In order to remove any misconception as regarded the proposed nurses' memorial home, tlio following resolution, lately passed by tho Finance Committee, was unanimously supported: —"That in the unanimous opinion of this committee,' it is wholly premature to propose to expend Red Cross funds for any other purpose than that for which they wore definitely raised. This committee also expresses the deliberate opinion that tho funds in hand, and thoso which can be collected, will all be required to carry on the work of the Red Cross, which here and at. Home will continue for a long time."