Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 088
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| Year | 1940 |
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164 SCOTTISH RED CROSS AGRICULTURE FUND. time, in view of the turn the war had then taken. Up till that date, the demands of the Red Cross and the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association had perhaps not been so great as was expected, but it must be realised that before the end Of hostilities there would be a considerable call upon the services of these Associations, and he was sure agriculture in Scotland would not be behindhand in making an effort to provide a considerable sum of money for the Red Cross. Major-General Sir Walter Maxwell-Scott, Bt., described the activities of the Scottish Branch of the British Red Cross Society. In the last war the Scottish Branch expended over £2,000,000. They had 600 ambulances at home and abroad, and carried over 2,000,000 people, and they equipped :1 Hospital Ship for the Mediterranean. Since the last war the Red Cross had spent in Scotland £260,000, including £120,000 on hospital treatment for ex-service men, £20,000 on sanatorium treatment for officers, and £50,000 on emergency help to service men. Since the beginning of the present war £38,000 had been spent by their Central Fund. This sum included a grant of £3000 in money to the Finnish Red Cross, and, in addition, they had given them goods to the value Of over £3000. After giving details of the present personnel and equipment of the Society, he referred to the work of the County Branches, which all had their own funds. Whatever money was received through the Agriculture Fund would be divided 50-50 with the counties, so that a considerable proportion Of the money received from a county would be spent within its area. Mr James H. H. Henderson, General Secretary of the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association, gave a brief account of the work of that Association, dealing more especially with what they were doing to help His Majesty’s Forces in connection with transport work and with the instruction of personnel. Mr J. M. Ramsay, O.B.E., of the Department of Agri- culture for Scotland, expressed the deep regret of the Secretary of State for Scotland that he was unable, on account of his Parliamentary duties, to attend the Meeting. The causo they were considering, said Mr Ramsay, was one that must appeal to everybody. The bringing together of the Scottish Agricultural Organisations in a united effort to assist the Red Cross Fund had the entire sympathy and support of Mr Colville. The Chairman then moved the following Resolution :— “ That the representatives of the Organisations present constitute themselves the General Committee of the Scottish Red Cross Agriculture Fund, with power to add to their number. That the Committee have as its object the raising of funds on behalf of the Red Cross and St Andrew’s Ambulance Association from the Agri- cultural interests in Scotland.” SCOTTISH RED CROSS AGRICULTURE FUND. 165 M r William Graham, Lugate, Stow, President of the National Farmers’ Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland, seconded the Resolution. In doing so, he‘said it needed _no words Of his to commend the cause to which the Resolutlon relOI‘l‘ed. He was perfectly sure Scottish agriculture would not wish to lag behind in an effort made on behalf of that fund. He thought it would be agreed-that the organisation they proposed to set up for the collectlon of funds would be an ideal organisation for the purpose. Tim WORK OF COUNTY COMMITTEES. Some doubts were expressed as to the advisability of setting up a new organisation in view of its poss1ble effect on the work of the Red Cross County Committees, and also upon the proposed scheme for regular weekly contributions from farm workers. The Chairman said they felt that there were sources of income which had not been tapped by the appeals of the Uonveners in the various counties, and that this organisa- tion could raise money from these untapped sources. He was sure they all realised that in a war they had to give not only once or twice or even three times, but had to put their hands in their pockets all the time for all the various funds. He thought that by organising Free Gift Sales, par- iicularly in the country districts, they would be able to raise money for the Red Cross without interfering in any way with the local efforts for comforts and other funds. Where a scheme for regular collections was in Operation the work of the Committee would not interfere with it. The work of the proposed organisation would be in addition to the local «i'l'orts, all of which would be required. The Resolution was then put to the Meeting, and unanimmisly adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The Earl of Home, K.T., was unanimously elected Chairman of the General Committee. In moving his election, Major Brebner said that Lord Home undertook a great deal of public work, but, when approached, he had readily agreed to accept the Chairmanship. They were extremely fortunate in having him to guide this movement. Major R. F. Brebner and Mr George G. Mercer, Southfield, Dalkeith, were elected Vice—Chairmen Of the Committee, and Mr John Stirton, Secretary of the Highland and Agricultural Society, was elected Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. It was intimated by Major Brebner that the Directors of the. Highland and Agricultural Society had decided to offer Office accommodation for the Committee and to permit the |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 088 |
