"You ask me about the future of the fund, and I can tell you that already substantial amounts are reposing in the bank accounts opened by the civic heads throughout the country. These, together with other considerable sums which we know are on the way, will give us a very good send off for our second great effort.
"We realize that the task of providing for the Red Cross must be spread over the mass of the population, and it is with this in mind that we have developed the great penny-a-week scheme, which is intended to provide every wage-earner with the opportunity of giving a penny a week from his wages for Red Cross work. This scheme has the whole-hearted sup-the Trade Union Congress, the Em-Confederation, and the Ca-operative Societies. In fact, we have endeavoured to develop specialized schemes that will attract every section of the public and provide a stream of contributions from rich and poor, however long the war continues.
"There is no question that our successful efforts are due in the main to the splendid helpers who have grouped themselves around us at the Mansion House. At the head of each of the sixteen committees we have been fortunate in securing tip-top leaders. To mention just one name there is Lord Iliffe, who as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Fund is applying all his energy and ability to the enormous task we have undertaken in raising for the joint organization of the Red Cross and St. John the money they will need for their great work however vast it may prove to be."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.