ORDER OF ST. JOHN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 8

ORDER OF ST. JOHN

WORLD-WIDE ACTIVITIES CIVIC WELCOME TO COLONEL SLEEMAN A civic welcome was extended yesterday afternoon in the Council Chambers to Colonel J. L. Sleeman, C.8.E.. C.M.G.. R.Y.0., the chief commissioner overseas of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who is making a tour of the Dominion in the interests of the organisation.

The Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) said that, in extending a welcome in the name of the citizens of Dunedin to Colonel Sleeman, ho desired to do so first on account of his own personal worth, and in recognition of his lengthy and honourable service for a period of over 40 years to the Order of St. John. The many years of their visitor’s association with the brigade and his position as chiet commissioner overseas, entitled him to recognition and honour in every country of the Empire. Secondly, they rejoiced to greet him' as the representative of the grand prior, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, whose renowned service to the Order and also to Freemasonry was almost unparalleled in the history of the Royal House. That close tie of association and leadership had done much to cement the different sections of the Empire to the throne of his Majesty. Finally, he wished to welcome Colonel Sleeman because of the Order itself and the magnificent work that was being done so unobtrusively and efficiently without fee or reward in the interests of the distressed, who had suffered through accident, misfortune, and calamity of any kind.—(Applause.) Colonel G. Barclay, head of the Order in New Zealand, also welcomed Colonel Sleeman. He said that ever since Colonel Sleeman had assumed control a strong bond of sympathy had been established between the various units overseas and headquarters in London. He felt sure that the visit of Colonel Sleeman would prove most beneficial to the Order in the Dominion. He was satisfied that Colonel Sleeman would go away feeling that the workers of St. John in this portion of the Empire were doing their best, and that they bad accomplished much that was worthy of commendation. — (Applause.) Dr A. R. Falconer, as chairman of the Dunedin centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, joined in the welcome to Colonel Sleeman. He said that Colonel Sleeman had a distinguished career in both peace and war. Referring to the many activities of the association, Dr Falconer said he was glad to see that the present Government realised that it was absolutely necessary to have a voluntary organisation such as theirs, and that it was willing to help them. Colonel Sleeman, in reply, said that he had spent five years as a soldier in New Zealand, and he looked on those years as the happiest during the whole of his 40 years of service. Another reason -why he was glad to be back in the Dominion again was that he had married a New Zealand lady. His wife had been born at Mount Pisa. He referred to the very live interest taken in the work of the association by the grand prior, who, but for his age, would have made this visit himself. Colonel Sleeman said it was in Dunedin that the first ambulance bngage overseas of the Order of St. John had been started. To-day brigades were in operation in all parts of the British Empire. Dunedin, therefore, was worthy of the highest praise in having established the first. In Dunedin also they had had the second women’s ambulance in the British Empire overseas. It was a very fine thing to have two such records. The speaker said that, in the parlance of St. John, be came as a visitation! It was an ancient title. The first visitation ever paid had been from Jerusalem to St. John’s Gate in 1187. He had really .come as a friend to do what he could to help the movement along, and so that he would be able to go back to headquarters knowing their difficulties and knowing the best manner in which they could be overcome. To the question, “What is this Order of St.John?” he would answer that it was the most ancient order of chivalry in the whole world. It bad been established in 1099. The speaker traced the history of the order from the time of the Crusaders, and referred to its many activities in the cause of humanity. It was a service for which its many members received no payment. The Order assisted the associations and the brigades. Colonel Sleeman said that his last tour round the world in the interests of the Order- had cost him something like £I3OO, and this had been paid out of his own pocket. The members of the organisation save their services free. A special contribution —called an oblation, paid by each member —was, moreover, instrumental in carrying on a hospital in Jerusalem where thousands of patients were treated. It was a magnificent commentary on their work that when the Crusaders had captured Jerusalem in 1099 they had formed a small hospital there for pilgrims and that in 1936 they still had a hospital in Jerusalem and were caring for humanity. The speaker concluded by stating that theirs was an up-to-date institution working whole-heartedly for the welfare of mankind. — (Applause.) The Mayor stated that it had been said that the age of chivalry had passed, but it had been brought before them that afternoon that chivalry was in their midst to-day, though it might be unknown. EVENING “AT HOME” FUNCTION IN TUDOR HALL - ADDRESS BY COLONEL SLEEMAN The Tudor Hall was appropriately decorated with flags and an illuminated replica of the emblem of the Order of St. John last evening when an “at home ” was held, at which Colonel Sleeman was the guest of honour. The reception was attended by a representative gathering of influential citizens, as well as by a large number of members of the ambulance and nursing divisions, who formed a guard of honour for Colonel Sleeman outside the hall. , , In the absence of the president of the St. John Ambulance Association (Sir Charles Statham), the vice-president (Mr John Ash) occupied the chair, and extended a welcome to Colonel Sleeman. The chief item of the evening, he said, was an address by Colonel Sleeman on the work at Home and overseas of the St. John Ambulance Society. Sleeman was no stranger to New Zealand, for he came to this country at a time of great national stress, when the nation was fighting for its very existence. After serving with the “ Old Contemptibles ” in France, he came to New Zealand on a high patriotic mission, qnd those who remembered hearing him speak in Dunedin would realise the privilege that was theirs in being pr sent to hear him again on this occasion. The Empire was now at peace —a shaky peace, perhaps—and Colonel Sleeman was now visiting the country on behalf of the Order of St. John. — (Applause.) ADDRESS BY VISITOR.

Colonel Sleeman, who was enthusiastically received when he rose to speak, said he was delighted to be in New Zealand again, for it was a country for which he had formed a very deep affection. He had just completed a two months’ tour of South Africa and Rhodesia, and had there inspected some 60 brigades. The work done had been excellent, as it had been in India, Burma, China. Canada. Ceylon, and all parts of the British Empire. He had now come back to New Zealand, “ God’s own country,” and he was full of admiration for the 70,000 men and women in various parts of the world who, during the past year, had treated 500,000 casualties and saved many hundreds of lives. In New Zealand the movement had distinguished itself during the disastrous earthquakes on the West Coast and at Napier a few years ago, and hundreds of people owed their lives to the fact that properly trained and equipped St. John Ambulance brigades were ready to give assistance. WORK IN THE EAST.

In Hongkong and Shanghai, the year before last, during the Sino-Japanese war,

the Japanese forces were well equipped with ambulances, dressing stations, and supplies, but the Chinese had practically nothing. The St. John Ambulance Association in Hongkong, composed entirely of Chinese, asked for permission to set up a station in Shanghai, and_ subsequently treated 7000 casualties in four months, saving many hundreds of lives. In the terrible Quetta earthquake, which killed 30,000 people in 17 seconds, the thousands of Indians who escaped were without any assistance except that offered by the soldiers who were left alive. Within four hours, however,, planes from all parts of the country brought men and women of the St. John Ambulance Association who treated and cared for thousands of victims of the disaster. In South Africa, Colonel Sleeman continued, he found that magnificent work was being done. The association’s activities covered the length and breadth of the country, teaching the native people how to look after themselves. The infant mortality rate in the native villages on the Rhodesian border was G 7 per cent., so that the work to be done there by the association could readily be realised. He had visited a largo number of native divisions, each of which vied with the other in training and efficiency.

DUNEDIN’S LEADING PLACE. Now, said Colonel Sleeman, he was glad to be in the home of the first overseas division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Dunedin was the birthplace ot the first ambulance division, and the second nursing division overseas. In Dunedin they had set an example that was a standard for the whole Empire. At this stage Colonel Sleeman welcomed Mr W. Mearns, who was the first superintendent in Dunedin, and to whom he ascribed the excellent growth ot the movemerit in New Zealand. T i Speaking of the Order ot St. John, Colonel Sleeman said it was the most, ancient order of chivalry in the whoh world. It dated from the Crusades and had it not been for the Knights ot St. John it was doubtful if the Crusaders would have triumphed over the infidels. For centuries afterwards the home of the Ord-'r of St. John was at Malta, but after their dispersion by Napoleon, who wanted the island as a base for his war against Egypt, the knights returned to their own countries. Then began a new period in the history of the Order, which was destined to become world-wide. In 1937 the jubilee of the St. John Ambulance Brigade would be held in London. His Majesty the King would hold an investiture for the Order of St. John, garden parties would be held at St. James s Palace and at St. John’s Gate, a service would' be held in Westminster Abbey, and perhaps they would have entry to Windsor Castle. His present mission was to inspect the various divisions in different parts of the Empire, to convey from the Duke of Connaught greetings and thanks to those who had helped in the Order, and also to ask all those who could to come to London for the jubilee week in June of next year. He would be very disappointed, as chief commissioner tor overseas, if. when the march past the King was held on June 9, 1937, New Zealand was not fully represented; and he urged that the flag of New Zealand should be foremost as the flag of the first overseas division. ,

WAR-TIME PRECAUTIONS. The necessity for ambulance work was stressed by Colonel Sleeman, who said that although no one wanted to see another war, that fact could not prevent such a disaster from occurring. The British Empire had set a magnificent example to the whole civilised world by reducing its' fighting forces almost to a negligible quantity, but this had been seized upon by some nations as a sign that the British Empire was tottering to pieces. Last year the War Office had asked the association to train the people in gas warfare. Such training was proceeding all over the world, including America, and the fact that the association had been approached to train the people in defensive measures was proof of its value to ’the country. The men who died in the Great War had left a great inheritance that was not to be played with. They gave their lives in the hope that war would be ended forever and that a greater Empire would arise out of the ashes. That was why the Order of St. John was one of the most notable movements preaching the gospel of peace and humanity to man, for its aims were being spread in all parts of the world. • The movement was working for peace, and yet was ready for any emergency. No part of the British Empire could produce a better standard of efficiency than that maintained by New Zealand’s own thief commissioner, Colonel Barclay, whose record at St. John’s Gate stood extraordinarily high. To the association and brigade members present Colonel Sleeman expressed his warmest thanks for the work they had done, and to those who were not connected with either branch of the Order he extended his thanks for their interest, which was an encouragement and stimulus in the work that was being performed.—Applause.) OTHER ADDRESSES. The Mayor said that Dunedin, as well as other parts of the Empire, took great pride in the work that was being done. The organisation was so complete that it was ready to do its part at any moment. The fact that this movement, which originated centuries ago, was now being carried on , voluntarily throughout the world, showed it to be one of the most humanitarian institutions in existence. Colonel Barclay said that the gathering that evening would be long remembered in the history of the Order of St. John in Dunedin, for it had assembled to extend a welcome to Colonel Sleeman, who came as the special envoy of his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, the grand prior of the Order. This was not the first time that the grand prior had shown his interest in New Zealand, for several years ago he had sent a delegation to New Zealand, and in so doing had encouraged and stimulated them to further activities. They could welcome Colonel Sleeman as an old friend, for he had done a great deal for New Zealand in earlier years. Colonel Sleeman had had a distinguished career in the army, and now as chief commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Association overseas he occupied a position which he was specially fitted to fill. It was appropriate that he should commence his New,Zealand tour in Dunedin, which had had the first division overseas. The Dunedin Centre came into being in 1891, when classes were held, and in the following year the certificate holders met and formed the Dunedin Brigade, which had been the nucleus of the 205 divisions, with over 4000 members, now in existence in the Dominion. A great deal of work had been done, but the results showed that that work had not been in vain. It fell to his lot as of ambulance and chief commissioner in New Zealand to welcome Colonel Sleeman, and to ask him to convey their respectful greetings to the grand prior and to assure him of their loyal allegiance to the Sovereign Head, and to the head'Order at St John’s Gate. Colonel Barclay then asked that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Colonel Sleeman for his illuminating address. which had given them a vast amount of information regarding the activities of the movement overseas. — (Loud applause.) Responding, Colonel Sleeman said that he would have much pleasure in conveying their greetings to the Duke of Connaught, who, were it not for hi s considerable age, would himself have made the visit. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne brought the function to a dose. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss G. Sydor and Mr F. Wilson.