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17
5th November 1937
THE FUND FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS IN CHINA.
Dear Lord Donoughmore,
I was informed yesterday afternoon by Mr Bernard, who was informed by Major Abrahams of the British Red Cross Society, that the Lord Mayor disapproved of the decisions reached at the meeting of the Executive Committee on Wednesday last.
Subsequently, I had telephone conversations with both Mr Hersee and with Mr Gamon, the Assistant Secretary and Secretary respectively of the Lord Mayor, and it was arranged that Mr Bernard and myself should see the Lord Mayor this morning at 10.15.
The Lord Mayor stated his objection which rests upon the ground that it is undesirable that the organisation constituted by the British Red Cross Society, the China Association and the Conference of British Missionary Societies should he controlled by any one of the three bodies concerned. Mr Bernard explained how and why the decision to use the China Association offices as the central office of the three bodies had been reached and the degree of control contemplated. The Lord Mayor, however, desires the institution of an office separate from and unconnected with, any one of the three bodies.
I write accordingly to ask you what you would like done and to put before you Mr Bernard's suggestion that he should convene a meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee, of which he is Chairman, with a view to seeing what suggestions can be put before the Executive Committee at its next meeting.
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I shall be very much obliged if you will kindly let me know your views.
Yours sincerely,
Hon. Secretary.
The Rt.Hon. the Earl of Donoughmore P.C.,K.P. Kelfton Knoll,
Nr.Bath.