RED CROSS WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 3

RED CROSS WORK

address to nurses SOCIETY'S OBJECTS OUTLINED An amusing as well as instructive talk was given to nurses last evening by Mr. L. E. Gielgud, under-secretary-gcncral to the International League of Red Cross Societies, who with Mrs. Gielgud is at present visiting Auckland. The lecture room of the nurses' home, where the function was held, was filled with a large number of Auckland Hospital nurses, as well as members of the Trained Nurses' Association. The function was held under tlic auspices of the Now Zealand Red Cross Society, which was represented by .Mr. D. McNab, and the superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Dr. J. W. Craven, presided. In the absence of the lady superintendent, Miss E. M. Nutsey, who was unable to attend owing to illness, the guests were received by Miss V. Cussen. Community Backing Needed "The influence which nursing exercises is a greater thing than even nurses realise," said Mr. Gielgud. He added that there was a tendency in many countries to talk about the Red Cross as though it were entirely a women's movement. Although the work which women did for it was allimportant, the society, in order that its activities might be sufficiently wide, needed the backing of all the influential people in the community.

"Until 1914, nobody thought very much about Red Cross nctivity in peace time," the speaker went on. "After tne war there was a growing feeling among Red Cross leaders that the society should not only prepare itself for times of hostilities, but should develop a regular programme of work in times of peace." Red Cross Machinery

Mr. Gielgud quoted examples of countries which had chosen, in dealing with health problems, to use the machinery of the Red Cross rather than that of their own Government. Much, too, had been done in this way as tho result of the society's initiative, as for example in New South Wales, where tho Red Cross had pone extensively into tho matter of tuberculosis treatment. "Ln the prevention of war, L believe tho Red Cross deserves a very good mark for furthering international goodwill," said Mr. Giclgud. "It is tho only international organisation which, since ID]9, has steadily increased its membership. It makes abundantly clear tho fact that ill-feeling between nations is tho result of misunderstanding, which disappears when you have a group of people with different backgrounds, discussing a single unselfish object." Thanks to Mr. Giclgud and also to the New Zealand Red Cross Society were expressed on behalf of tho nurses bv Miss A. Baglcy, president of tho Trained Nurses' Association. Mrs. T. H. Lowry also spoko, and others present were Mrs. Giclgud apd Sister B. J. Stringer.