RED CROSS WILL REMEMBER ITS FOUNDER ON MONDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 May 1950, Page 7

RED CROSS WILL REMEMBER ITS FOUNDER ON MONDAY

On Monday next, May 8. the Wanganui Red Cross Society in keeping with other branches of its world-wide organisation will remember the birthday of its founder, Henri Dunant,. which falls that day. Heari Dunant died 40 years ago in Switzerland. He was a poor man and almost unknown to the world. However. when, the society which he founded has spread to 67 countries witn a membership of more than 100 million persons. The Red Cross has become known and respected as perhaps the greatest humanitarian body in the world. Until the end of the first World War the work of the Red Cross was chiefly concerned with the Anmed Forces. One of its tasks was to have established conventions which would help to relieve the suffering of sick and wounded sailors and soldiers. Since then it has fulfilled the obligations of the great Geneva Conventions. Since the end of World War II it has concentrated more and more on peacetime work. It has carried on the fight against sickness and disease, helped in time of disaster and attended to the urgent welfare needs of people of every race, colour and political belief.

The Red Cross Society is strongly established in Wanganui and surrounding districts, and including the Main Trunk area the total membership is about 2000.

The Wanganui Red Cross Society which include both men and women’s sections has an excellent record of service down the years covering a wide field of activity.