RED CROSS FUNDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24281, 23 May 1942, Page 9

RED CROSS FUNDS

PURPOSES OUTLINED ALLEVIATION OF SUFFERING not for combatant forces (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH. Friday "This is one of the most destructive statements ever made about Red Cross work in New Zealand," declared Dr. J. Leslie Will, chairman of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and thn Red Cross Society of New Zealand, and chairman of the executive of the Red Cross Society, in his comments on a statement by Mr. G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Board, that a report that these bodies could not work for the combatant forces was a myth. Dr. Will said in an interview tonight that the statement was all the more incredible and damaging to the work of the Red Cross because it came from a man in an official position. Mr. Hayden was reported to have said that the story that,tjie Red Cross and St. John could collect only for the sick and wounded and . not for combatants was one which they had built up round themselves. Red Cross Ideal Dr. W ill said that the societies were nuxiliaries of the Army medical services, which had a prior claim to use the emblem consisting of a red cross vn a white ground, and national iocieties enjoyed the same privilege only because they were auxiliaries. "The whole idea of the International Red Cross is the building up of the body, which stands for the desire of mankind to alleviate human suffering and as far as possible to prevent it," said Dr. Will. "Those who serve under the Red Cross banner throughout the world are pledged to support this common ideal to the exclusion of all political, racial or religious prejudices. Alleged Wrong Use of Money "It seems to me that the sole duty of the Red Cross in New Zealand is to provide for caring of the aftermath Vof war, sick and wounded and prisoners of war. It is known that more than £6OOO a week is being spent from funds under the control of Patriotic Board, but subscribed under the appeal for sick and wounded sponsored by the St. John Ambulance and Red Cross Society. "To me it seems immoral to use money subscribed to the Red Cross for any other purpose than sick and wounded and prisoners of war or for the relief of suffering. Mr. Hayden is well aware that one of the most success-

ful appeals in the country has been made for that purpose and I am quite satisfied that if our organisation were flowed to make another national Appeal on the same lines it would meet frith similar success."