WAIKATO EFFORT

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1237, 3 July 1947, Page 2

WAIKATO EFFORT

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES Outstanding- Figures In Annual Report The fact that since- the start of the war in 1939 the Waikato Centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society had handled funds or clothing valued at over £250,000 for distribution is mentioned in the annual rc\port of the centre, to be presented at the annual meeting early next month. “ One of the proudest records of the Waikato centre is that all the services rendered by the many helpers in raising funds, making and repairing garments, packing and administration in sub-centres and centre, have been on an entirely voluntary and unpaid basis,” says the report. “Such a record of imselfi.s'hness demonstrates the innate compassion and liumanitarianism which exists in the heart of everyone.” The Food For Britain campaign launched last year had received very gratifying support. During the year £7248 had been donated, and tbe following goods had been despatched to England: 9024 tins of barley sugar, 55,320 cakes or bars of soap, 27 tons of fat, 15,492 tons of meat, 12 tons of oatmeal, 9000 five-pound tins of honey, two-pound tins of and six tons of full cream milk powder, as well as other necessary commodities. The packing committee again had a very strenuous year, and 20,799 articles were packed and despatched during the period, bringing the total since the centre started to 153,433 articles.

Hospital Library Service Oue of the most successful and popular services the centre had established was the Waikato Hospital library service, and another successful year had been experienced- A wide range of books covering many subjects was purchased to cater for the 500 to GOO patients, and as the greatest demand was for current magazines practically every magazine on the market was brought under annual subscription and distributed “ The disastrous floods in England during March followed the severest winter within memory, and it gave considerable satisfaction to members to learn that 34 cases of clothing which had just arrived, and a very large quantity of food, both forwarded by the Waikato centre, were among the first relief goods to be distributed to the victims,” says the report. Hospital visiting, with a cheerful word, two packets of cigarettes and a bar of chocolate or fruit and cakes for each ex-soldier of all wars, had been maintained, and was still very much appreciated by inmates. An emergency scheme of the Voluntary Aids Detachment had been established, and detachment members were ready at all times with speciallyequipped haversacks and medical supplies should an emergency arise. “ The Red Cross has been able to accomplish a great deal in the Waikato during the short span of its existence,” concluded the report. “ This has been due not only to the unselfish and devoted service of many willing members but also to the kindly cooperation of other organisations, civic authorities and the goodwill of the public. Although Waikato can justifiably be proud of its achievements it is only a step along the road. In the words of Thomas Huxley: * The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to bold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.’ ”