RED CROSS WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21057, 8 March 1940, Page 7

RED CROSS WORK

TASK REALLY BEGINNING SICK SOLDIERS IN EGYPT WAIKATO CENTRE MEETING “Our first contingent of boys is now overseas and the work of the Red Cross is really beginning,” said Dr. W. R. Fea, chairman of the Waikato Centre of the New Zealand Red Cross, at a meeting held in Hamilton last night. “We have been entrusted with the collection of funds for the non-combatant soldiers, that is those men who are wounded or sick. “Although our troops may not be actually fighting for a time yet the climatic conditions of the Eastern countries will bring sickness amongst them and there will be work almost immediately for the Red Cross,” he added. Dr. Fea said so long as there was enthusiasm among the members and the work of the Red Cross was well organised the society would be doing its duty to the men who had gone away. Appeals for Funds There had not been as yet any great appeal for public funds as the society had not thought that the time had arrived. When the time did arrive, however, he thought there would be no doubt that the public would realise its responsibility towards the sick and wounded troops. “No sacrifice which we can make at home,” commented Dr. Fea, “will be too great for helping the boys who have gone away. We are well organised to meet the call upon Us but there can be no weakening of effort.” Dr. Fea added that the time had come when branches should be able to quadruple their memberships. He mentioned that people applying for posts as V.A.D.’s., would have to take the course in hygiene and sanitation which would be commenced in Hamilton shortly. Autonomy Desired At the present time the Waikato Centre of the Red Cross Society was attached to the Auckland Centre. The chairman stated that the opinion had arisen that the Waikato was a large enough centre to work independently of Auckland and there was a widespread desire for autonomy. It was decided at the meeting to seek recognition as an independent centre with a boundary running from Mercer in the north, Mananui in the south, the west coast in the west, and Te Aroha and Putaruru in the east. The secretary, Mr R. R. Challiner, of Hamilton, and Mrs W. C. E. George, of Huntly, were elected the Waikato Centre delegates to the Dominion Conference in Wellington to be held on March 12 and 13. It was impressed upon all branches that their books would be audited once a quarter as the money being handled was subscribed by the public and careful checks were thus desirable.