BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN BEGUN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19237, 26 November 1930, Page 11

BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN BEGUN.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION'S MOVE. A decision to organise a campaign to raise funds for a new building and facilities for the St John Ambulance Association, and the free ambulance service the association is conducting was arrived at by a public meeting yesterday. The Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer, presided. After explaining the purpose of the meeting, the Mayor said that he had seen in a morning paper a report of a speech which ridiculed the proposal to organise to get adequate premises, but everyone knew that good proposals were always ridiculed. The purpose of the meeting was an excellent one, which deserved every success. The time was not an opportune one to raise mone}-, but the time could not be chosen. Dr Thomas said that, although the streets remained at the same width, motors w’ent faster, and accidents were more frequent. The demand for ambulance service was greater and was still growing. The ambulances would be attended by trained nurses and _ ambu lance men who would give an injured person proper attention as soon as the ambulance arrived on the spot. Up to date the ambulances had to be garaged and driven outside the association. With the proposed improved scheme, they would be w’holly under the control of the association; “ The word ‘ free ’ appeals to people/ he continued. ” In effect there will be little dilference between the charges now and before. We have always worked with the smallest possible charge. It would facilitate our efforts in every way if we had a proper place to work/ Free Service. Dr Borrie pointed out that all the : work of the nursing sisters and ambulance men was free. They attended ‘ every function where large numbers of : people gathered. Each year the de niancl for their services was increasing. 1 “ We were working towards a free ' ambulance, and we were just going • slowly till our hands were forced. We 1 did not just start up in opposition,” > said Dr Borrie. “They say the free l ambulance will be abused. Many privi - leges are abused, but that does not 1 mean that privileges must be with * drawn, penalising those who really de 7 serve them.” s Mr A. Williams commended the work of the association in all its depart meats. Property and Life. i Mr G. Peek: I saw that the idea was t disparaged in Riccarton. Riccarton t pay the Fire Board to save property; what is the comparison between prop p erty and the human lives we save? < Mr A. C. Bretherton: If people wil not support the work the association

does for nothing, they will have to pay. in rates to get the work done otherwise. “Accidents are growing to a state that alarms the whole Empire.” said Colonel Dawson, assistant medical officer of health. “ What we want is cooperation with business men. They knew where the money is. They know, the men who make it. We need their brains and business capacity.” Committee Appointed. Dr Borrie moved that those present be formed into a committee, with power to add. The motion, was carried. On the Mayor’s suggestion it was agreed that Mr Williams should be chairman. Mr C. S. M’Cully was nominated vice chairman. “ I would like to know first of alt which of the two services, yours and the other, the Rugby Union, which I represent, are to support," said Mf M’Cully. . . . “ This is a humanitarian association, without salaries and with no personal gain.” said Dr Thomas. Mr J. \V. Crampton was elected sec* retary. , . . An executive committee comprising Mrs X. Rodgers, Mrs J. K. Archer. Dr J. R. Thomas, Messrs A. Williams. A. C. Bretherton, Philpott Crowther and J. W. Crampton was set up.