The Secretary, Department of Defence, has forwarded for advice correspondence between that Department and Messrs Sabelberg & Gummow with regard to the use of a red Maltese cross by Mr A.B. of Swanston Street, Melbourne, in connection with his Motor Tyre Hospital.

The Geneva Convention Act 1911 forbids the use without authority of the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Federal colours of Switzerland, or the words 'Red Cross' or 'Geneva Cross'.

In my opinion the use of a red Maltese cross similar to that shown on the invoice form attached to the correspondence would be an infringement of the Act.

[Vol. 14, p. 95]