CARE FOR SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10063, 30 August 1918, Page 8

CARE FOR SOLDIERS

WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION AND RED CROSS.

Since August, 1914, the New Zealand Way Contingent Association has dene splendid work for th© comforts of the men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, both wounded and well (said a recent Issue of the “British Australasian.”) About 18, months ago the New Zealand Red Cross expressed the wish to.,supply funds for sick, find wounded, and the' N.Z.W.C.A. was appointed their London agent. ThU agency continued until quite receoitly, when, under a mutual arrangement, it came to an end. Shortly after the retirement ot Lord Piunket. Mr I. W. Raymond, who had been eleotod, bis successor, also held the chairmanship of the Red Gross Committee. This had the effect of coordinating the work between th© two committees, so that the maximum amount of benefit was secured under the joint forces. Mr Raymond at ’ once reorganised the Red Cross, arranging forit bo take over from the military (gifts section) the work for tho. hospitals, and the control of the Red Cross depot at Southampton, also until then in charge of the Gifts Section. Depots were provided 1 at tho various hospitals in charge of t quartermaster, and stocked with all the necessary comtorts that might be required. Many other matters of detail were settled, all contributing to the smooth running of the organisation. General Richardson, as a matter of fact, has expressed his ■ warm approval of tho administration generally. For some time past, however, there have been indication* that Lord Liverpool, S resident of the New Zealand Red rosa Excutive. desired more prominence in th© Dominion for the Red Cross. Colonel Rhodes was therefore sent to London to see what could he done. He arrived to find tho organisation all that it could bo. except that it had not a separate office and did not receive that prominence in the Dominion to which its work entitled it. Negotiations to obviate this have been proceeding for some time. The lack of publicity was a fault for which the executive in New Zealand was entirely responsible, because monthly reports were transmitted to the head office. Wellington, giving full details ot all that was being done; but these reports on arrival in the Dominion were evidently pigeon-holed and not ewen di6tributod to the various branches, so it is no wonder that there . was som© little irritation at th© other end. . Tho outcome of the negotiations has boon the re-constitution of the committee of the Red Cross, that committee taking over the members of the W.C.A. Executive Committee, thus giving those members an. equal interest in the work of both organisations. Mn Raymond a-emaijns chairman of the Ni.Z.W X.A.. and Colonel Rhodes becomes chairman of the Red Cross. A . point that was fought for, vary strenuously was the right of the new committee to elect its own chairman, as a majority desired Mr Raymond still to remain chairman ot th© Red Cross Committee. This however, was settled in Now- Zealand by Lord Liverpool cabling, electing Colonel Rhodes. The association, retains control over the various clubs and recreation rooms at the hospitals, and the enteitainment of all sick, wounded, and fit men. so that it has still a big field of work in which, to continue its splendid activities.