BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 145084, 8 September 1916, Page 6

BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY.

PRESENT REQUIREMENTS

Tho following circular to committees of tho sub-centres (Wellington district) of the Now Zealand Branch of tho British Hod Cross Society and Order of St. John, ro present requirements, Has been received by tho Now Plymouth sub-centre of the British Red Cross:— Although the full report from Mr. Bernard Tripp, who loft New Zealand in Juno last as Now Zealand Red Cross representative, has not yot reached New Zealand, ho has written from Egypt and sent cables since ho arrived m England. It seems that tho bulk of tho troops had left Egypt before his arrival, and only tho Mmmteds remained. Ho arranged with the Australian Hod Cross Society and tho British Hod Cross Society to look aftor their wants, and ho went on to England. Whilst there he visited all the hospitals where Now Zealanders were and thoroughly inquired into all the requirements, and is now on his way bock. He found that tho Red Cross Societies in nil parts of tho British Dominions had boon so ge-norous with their supplies that iho most of the requirements of tfio hospitals had boon provided for some time to come, but that the following articles were specially required at present, viz.: Shirts with pockets, blue hospital suits, blankets, pyjamas, and tinned goods (such as tongues, soups, condensed milk, Glaxo, honey, jams, etc.). Ho advises that wo turn our attention to u supply of these items,for the present, ana remit any money we can sparo for the purchase of goods more readily purchasable in England. Bandages they havo in abundance, but as tho Russians are short of those, they will be grateful for any that we can send thorn.

.Mr. Tripp is enthusiastic in his praise of tho work and organisation of tho New Zealand War Contingent Association, which ho says is really doing the work of tho Now Zealand Hod Cross. The chairman of the executive of this association is Lord Plunket, and on the executive are many men well known to New Zealand, such as Sir T. Mackenzie, General Richardson, Mr. James Coates, Mr. Gee, Sir James Mills, Mr. Douglas M'Lcan and Mr. John Grigg. Tho secretaries are -Mr. Cecil Wray, of Wanganui, Mr. Waldegravc, late Under Secretary for Justice, Mr. Norman Dalstou and Mr. Raymond. These gentlemen are .giving their whole time to the work, lu addition the, ladies arc well represented; Miss Mackenzie is secretary' of tho ladies’ committee, and such Now Zealand ladies as Mrs. Eiripson, Mrs. Arthur Russell, tho Misses Williams, Miss Henry and many others are giving up their whole time to looking after our side and wounded. Before Mr. Tripp left England it was arranged that Mr. Charles Elgar, of Eeathorston, who is in England and is a member of tho committee of the association, should act ns Now Zealand Red Cross representative and specially look after their interests. It was arranged that our goods should ho addressed “Now Zealand Gift Stores, M Shed, Southampton Docks,” where they are taken charge of by Captain Greene and are distributed under tho direction of the association. What goods are not, required by our men are dealt with by tho British Bed Cross Society. Workers can rest assured that onr men are being well looked qf ter. Wo are expecting furthqr information as' to lie requirements of such of our men as are left in Egypt and Mesopotamia, but we understand that the following goods are always acceptable to them, namely: Tinned foods, such as tinned merit, essences, sorip, fruit, condensed milk, Glaxo, soup tabloids, coffee, cocoa and cigarettes. Gifts of those will bo acceptable. The New Zealand hospital ship Marania is expected in,New Zealand about the end of September, and will need to be reconditioned. A list of the goods required for her has been received, and the secretaries of the Ladies’ Committee will let the sub-centres know what proportion each sub-centre will bo expected to supply, in a few days when they have apportioned the work. You will note that the above only deals with the Red Cross Hospital requirements, and is not intended to cover tho comforts and other classes of goods provided, by kindfed: patriotic societies and private individuals.