RED CROSS DISPUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1044, 7 August 1930, Page 12

RED CROSS DISPUTE

CONTROL OF TRUST MONEYS BRITISH VIEW STATED In connection with the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, Sir Charles Fergusson attended a meeting of representatives of the British bodies on June 2. and related the events which led up to the withdrawal of his patronage from the society on the eve of his departure from New Zealand. The Governor-General has received a copy of a letter addressed on behalf of the Grand Priory of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of Jerusalem in England and the British Red Cross Society, England, to the secretary of the Dominion executive of the Order of St. John, and the secretary of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John in New Zealand, dealing with the question of the control of certain moneys held in trust. He was informed (the letter states-) that since his departure an agreement has been reached as to the joint control of the sum of £30,000, and those present felt that this was at J least a step toward settlement of the dispute. They were, however, unanimously of the opinion that the further sum of £24,000, raised by the same body, and with the same object as the £30,000, ana which was awaiting transfer to the Joint War Committee at Home when the armistice was declared, should bo similarly controlled. Members present, both of the Order of St. John and of the British Red Cross Society, were emphatic in the view that, in order to give effect to the above decision, it is essential that the organisation which at present controls this money should apply to the proper authority to be dissolved, for it is neither the New Zealand Red Cross Societty nor a branch of the British Red Cross Society, and therefore is not in a position to nominate representatives to serve on the joint committee of the Order and society. Ponding this dissolution, a New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society should be established, and representatives of such society nominated to serve with an equal number of the Order of St. John on a joint committee of the two bodies for the purpose of the administration of 'he money referred to above.

It was further agreed that decision as to the control of any other sums of money at present administered by the organisation known as the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John is not one that comp? within the scope of either the Order of St. John in England or the British Red Cross Society This money has been raised locally, and the matter of its control must be decided locally.