HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS RED CROSS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 278, 24 November 1945, Page 4

HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS RED CROSS

TRIBUTE TO THAT BODY’S ‘ WORK IN LONDON

ADVICE AS TO PARCELS ]

Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commit- ' sioner for New Zealand in London, who is visiting Wanganui, attended an executive meeting of the Wanganui Red Cross Centre in the centre rooms, Guyton Street, yesterday morning. He was accompanied by the Mayor, the Hon. W. J Rogers, M.L.C. The chairman of the executive of the Red Cross Centre, Mr. W. D. Young, welcomed the visitors and members, the latter including representatives from Marton and Hunterville as well as Wanganui sub-centres. Mr. Jordon expressed pleasure at being able to meet the Wanganui Red Cross Executive. He gave an outline of the wonderful work done by the Red Cross workers in England, how missing New Zealanders were traced and cared for and parcels sent to them, also of the marvellous job done by the Women’s Voluntary Services. “For 57 nights when London was continually bombed, within a few minutes the women were on the job helping the sufferers,” he said. “As well ; as food such things as portable baths, washhouses and tanks went out. for the use of the people. The organisation was splendid.” Answering a question as to the best gifts to send to people of Britain, Mr. Jordan -said the things most wanted are powdered milk, and tins of full cream milk tins of tongues, jelly crystals and tinned meat of all kinds. All these are very much appreciated. There was no need to send cocoa or ovaltine. Asked about sending much needed fiats, he thought the sealed 21b. tins of bacon fat as prepared in the northern city were better than attempting to send bulk fat, as this would have to be properly clarified or it would not keep during the long trip overseas. He suggested the sending of soap as gifts to friends, but added a warning not to pack cakes of soap and blocks of chocolate in the same parcel, for by the time the contents were eaten, the chocolate tasted like the soap. Soap should only be put in with tinned goods. Mr. Jordan told how they worked with the women’s organisations who sorted out the parcels and how the clothing and goods were rushed to the people of the bombed-out cities bv the W.V.S who had depots all over Britain He spoke of lhe trials and difficulties put up with by the British people and the hardships of rationing. Tn reply to a question, he said the clothing and footwear sent from New Zealand had been excellent. Mr. Young and the Rev. A. C. McLean (president) expressed thanks to Mr. Jordan for his talk The visitor was shown samples of the boxes of personal comforts to be sent to displaced persons in Europe. Mr. Rogers spoke briefly on the work of fhe Red Cross.

At the meeting held prior to Mr. Jordan’s visit the question of sending tinned food and fats to Britain was discussed. It was decided that the society make a drive for soap nnd tinned food to send to British people. It was stated that the New Zealand Junmr Red Cross Council meeting is b< \ h f’ d 2 n -February and it was proposed that Miss W. Swan, of Nga Tawa School, Marton, bo asked to atm® et ! . Mr. R. L. Garden. pn^I eta f7’ dea t u ' lth correspondent I' W® B bedded to close down m idd?e e o m f b j e anu a r y n . rt re ° PCn ab ° Ut the