RED CROSS CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 9

RED CROSS CONFERENCE

The first annual conference of delegates from the various Otago branches of the lied Cross Society was held on the 31st ult. in the Art Gallery Hall. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. V. G. B. King presided. Miss Rattray (chairwoman of the Dunedin branch), in welcoming the visiting delegates, stated that an idea of the operations of the society could be gained from the fact that the total goods prepared from November 1 to May 27 • comprised 74,427 articles. The number scut to the base hospital was 42,526 articles. In addition to these the North Otago branch dining the last 11 months had sent away 76,090 articles, and there were 31,000 odd articles still to be sent away from Dunedin.—(Applause.) The Chairman explained that the St. John Ambulance and the -Red Cross Society in England had been working together ever since tho war broke cut, their solo purpose being to further every effort that was made on behalf of the men who were lighting our battles. These two societies were working harmoniously together. The branches throughout New Zealand were really branches of the St. John Ambulance Association and the Rod Cross Society, and were the only societies recognised by tho War Office. There were other societies doing excellent work, but for the particular •work that the Red Cross people had to perform it was only natural that this society should have official recognition. Some litUc time ago it was decided at a conference in Wellington to start a New Zealand Royal Red Cross Society, and all branches were working in conjunction with the chief executive, which mot from time to time whore his Excellency the Governor might decide. He could not say how deeplv he appreciated the self-denying work -which each of the branches had been doing from one end of Otago to another. A. general discussion took place on the question of the goods stmt from the various branches to headquarters as to which branch should be credited with these goods. Miss M'Lean explained that no matter where the niatori.il crime from tho branch making them would bo credited with them. If a sub-centre forwarded oases of goods it would bo credited with therm and it would in turn credit the branches in its district with the articles they sent. 'flic next question considered was that of procuring a badge for (lie society. It waft unanimously resolved that a badge be procured and a committee of five ladies representing Dunedin, Oamaru, Gore, liivcr-

| cargill, and Port Chalmers be empowered ! to select the badge. j The meeting closed with a vote of thanks I to the delegates for attending from ail the j district centres.