SICK AND WOUNDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 2

SICK AND WOUNDED

SUM OF £250,000 WANTED ST. JOHN-RED CROSS APPEAL It has become increasingly evident since the war began that the outcome of the struggle will depend as much upon the efforts of the people who stay at home as upon the fighting forces in the frcnt line of the battlefield. The maintenance of production, the distribution and despatch of supplies and the continuance of the internal organisation necessary to keep the national war machine running smoothly and efficiently—all these demand the service and co-operation of every section of the community. It has been the traditional practice in this country for those who stay at home to undertake the task of caring for those who suffer in the conflict—the sick, wounded and distressed. And to-day the appeal has gone forth for a special effort in this direction. Commencingthis week, the Joint Council of the New Zealand Red Cross and the Order of St. John are launching a campaign to raise £250,000 for this purpose. The objects are explained in the title words, “ The Sick, Wounded and Distressed Fund Appeal,” and the disposal of the money raised will have the widest possible application within the scope covered by the work of the joint organisations. Sponsored by his Excellency the Governor-General. Viscount Galway, and under the patronage of Lady Galway, the appeal is designed to coyer every phase of life within the Dominion in order to ensure an opportunity for all to ’ take an active part in this side of the war effort. Already much has been done under the Joint Council since the present war began, and in fact so far ahead is the organisation that under special financial arrangements with the National Patriotic Board it has actually spent more than it has received. Large quantities of goods of various kinds were sent for despatch with the first and second echelons of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and in prompt response to a pressing need. £SOO sterling was sent to Norway to assist in alleviating distress in the present conflict there. No Political Control In launching this appeal, the organusers have assured the public upon two ■important points. One is that the administration of the funds is entirely removed from Government or political control, and the other is that the channels through which the money is to be distributed are officially approved by the national body specially ■ set up for this purpose. The first point was made clear by Lord Galway, when speaking to the National Patriotic Fund Board at Wellington recently and dealing generally with war fund appeals. There was no political influence and no political trend, his Excellency said; if there had been, he would not have been associated with it. His Excellency mentioned specifically the appeal to be made by the Joint Council of the New Zealand Red Cress and the Order ol St. John, for the benefit of the sick, wounded and distressed, and expressed the hope that it, would receive the greatest possible support. On the second point—the approved channels of distribution—donors are reassured by the fact that the money collected in this appeal will pass through the hands of the National Patriotic Fund at Wellington for record purposes and will be handed back as required to the Joint Council for administration The disposal of the funds, in which the public will be chiefly interested, is arranged in accordance with the usual procedure in the Red Cross and the Order of St. John. It covers a wide field, and includes grants to hospitals and mobilisation camps, fortress troops and Air Force stations, troopships, ambulance transport and hospital ships hospital and convalescent stores, aftercare of sick and disabled, etc., expense for tracing wounded and missing men grants overseas to British and Allied Red Cross, and the hundred and one comforts and small services which are designed to bring comfort and consolation to. war sufferers after the State has fulfilled its obligation of providing them with essentials, Political and social authorities in England have indicated the likelihood of greater calls for this class of work if the war is to be fought to a successful conclusion, and the importance of efforts on the home front have been the keynote of recent speeches by Government leaders there. Dominion-wide Organisation , The new joint appeal for £250,000 to assist the sick, wounded and distressed has the dual merit of being sponsored by authoritative sources and administered on lines which have proved to be sound. The committees engaged on this effort have been working strenuously and consistently for a considerable time, and the result of their efforts is a Dominion-wide organisation of local and district committees, each of which has been charged with a definite responsibility in playing its part in the general scheme. The appeal commences to-day, and it will run for from three to four weeks, closing shortly after the King’s Birthday on June 3. It is launched at a time when public leaders are impressing upon the people the urgency of full national co-opera-tion in all spheres of life. The Sick, Wounded and Distressed Fund Appeal gives an opportunity to all. without exception of class, creed or circum stances, to do something really worthwhile as a gesture of goodwill and gratitude to those who must bear the heat and burden of the battlefront. Donors are notified by advertisement, poster and radio that their offerings may be paid to the Otago treasurer, P.O. Box 456. Any donations sent direct to headquarters will be credited to the local appeal committee. ENTERTAINMENTS ARRANGED VARIETY OF ATTRACTIONS As a result of the various efforts that will be made to raise funds, the public will have a feast of entertainment of a varied nature until the end of this month. One of the outstanding attractions throughout the period of the Red Cross appeal will be the opening of a “ Casino ” in the Old Post Office Building, Dowling street. The Casino will be opened on Thursday next and promises to provide a very wide variety of games, amusements and entertainment to suit all tastes There will be special attractions each night, and a handsome gift to the holder of a lucky ticket each evening There will be no charge for admission. Community sings will be held on Friday in each week during the period of this worthy appeal. Another entertainment of great interest to lovers of the theatre will be four performances of that bright and clever play “ The Middle Watch,” which will be produced by Miss Anita Winkel and played by a'fine cast of capable performers. This play will be staged at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall from May 22 to 25. Dancers will be delighted to hear of a special gala dance at the Town Hall on May 25 by courtesy of Mr Joe Brown, while the members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a grand Red Cross ball on May 28 in the Town Hall and the Concert Chamber. The last day of the month will give to the public one of the finest attractions at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. By arrangement with the New Zealand Wool Council and the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a fashion parade by professional mannequins will be held at His Majesty’s Theatre. No fewer than 60 all-wool garments of exquisite desiffi will be displayed. A musical programme will add to the pleasure of this evening.