HOSPITAL STAFFS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25293, 29 August 1945, Page 6

HOSPITAL STAFFS

RESPONSE NOT GOOD STRICTER ACTION HINTED Although, the urgency of staffing hospitals in Auckland lifts been emphasised on several occasions, the response to the scheme under which women in the 21-22 years group are directed to hospital work for » year -■ has' been disappointing. Only a fairly small proportion of those-in that group who have boon directed in rodent months have complied, but women who have boon directed apart from the special scheme have a good record. Since April 1, 1944, directions of women to the Auckland Hospital Board, including those covered by the special scheme, total 878, of whom 561 have complied. Tliere have been 120 appeals, of which 84 were allowed. Thirty-five cases were dismissed and 73 are still under action. The remainder were withdrawn for various reasons. In the 21-22 age group 312 directions have been' made and only 111 of the women have complied. Of the 566 women directed apart from the special scheme 4.50 have complied. A large proportion of the appeals in respect of women in the special group were lodged by employers. The Auckland Hospital Board has a requisition at the National Service Department for about 70 women, including unskilled nursing stall: and domestic workers, for the Auckland, Green Lane and Cornwall hospitals. It is expected that as the requisitions are filled applications will be made for further staff to permit the opening of additional wards. " Unless employers recognise more fully the obligations to release girls in the 21-22 ago group for hospital work for a period of 52 weeks, it is evident that more drastic measures will have to be taken." said the district manpower officer, Mr C. G. S. Kllis, yesterday. " Otherwise, hospitals cannot be adequately staffed. Several factors operate against the staffing of hospitals, and included in these is the recent restriction of the classes to which direction applies. We will, therefore, require to obtain a greater proportion of the girls in the 21-22 age group if we are to make good the normal wastage and at the same time bring the staffing load up to the point where the enlarged institutions can bo operated efficiently. Notwithstanding the fact that the greatest care was taken in the selection of girls in the special group for direction, only about a third have complied." HIGH PRICES PAID CATTLE IN WAIKATO CONCERN OF BUTCHERS (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday The highest prices ever paid for fat cattle in the Waikato were reached at the Frankton stock sale today, when heavy bullocks realised from £25 to £2B, compared with £l9 10s to £22 12s 6d last week. In many cases an advance of £5 a head was shown. The substantial price advances made today provided a further indication of the present scarcity of prime cattle. Butchers have expressed concern about the position, and a special meeting of the South Auckland branch of the Master Butchers' Association is to be held to consider the position. One butcher stated today that it would be better for him to close his premises until there was some easing in the present price level. Retail prices still remained fixed, while yard realisations soared to a prohibitive level.

COMPENSATION CLAIM I HOTEL TAKEN BY TRUST CASE IN INVERCARGILL (0.C.) INVERCARGILL. Tuesday Evidence on behalf of the respondent, the Invercargill Licensing Trust, was given at the hearing today of the case in which Walter Thomas William Stroud claimed £38,000 compensation for the Cecil Hotel, formerly known as, the Milford, which was taken over by the Trust under the Public Works Act. The claimant based his claim on the following valuations: Land, £12,000; buildings, £20,000; goodwill, loss of investment, loss of interest and disturbance, £6OOO. The valuations of witnesses for the Trust varied, in round figures, from £7250 to £BBOO for the land, and from £11,250 to £15,000 for the building. The evidence for the Trust was concluded today, and the case was adjourned until tomorrow. PRICE FOR WHEAT REQUESTS BY GROWERS 7/1 A BUSHEL SOUGHT (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Wheat price arrangements for the coming harvest and the next harvest were discussed today by representatives of wheat growers with members of the Government. At the end of the discussion the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said the representations of the wheatgrowers would be considered and a decision made as quickly as possible. The discussions were attended by the Minister in charge of the wheat industry, Mr Sullivan, the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Roberts, members of the Stabilisation Commission and members of Parliament from wheatgrowing areas. The representatives of the Wheat Committee were the deputy-chairman, Mr L. J. Schmitt, Mr H. F. Nichol, who is also chairman of directors of United Whcatgrowers, Mr W. W. Mulholland, who is also president of tho Farmers' Union, and Mr A. Grant. Representations were made for a flat rate of 7s Id a bushel for the 1945-46 harvest and alternative proposals were made for the 1946-47 harvest. The meeting was not open to the press and a short statement on proceedings was made afterward by Mr Sullivan. CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUCKLAND fS.R.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The now Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore G. H. Faulkner, D.S.C., will pay his first official visit to Auckland at the week-end. Commodore Faulkner will leave Wellington by the limited express on Friday night and will leave Auckland on * his return journey by the limited express on Monday night. An official programme is being arranged by the Navy Department in Auckland. GUERNSEY LANDING KAMO MAN'S EXPERIENCE (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday A Northland sailor. Signalman J. R. Crispin, of Kanio, was the first British naval man ashore on the Channel Islands after their liberation. He received a tumultuous reception from tho happy people of Guernsey. To him also fell the honour of hoisting the White Ensign on the flagpole from which the swastika had flown previously. This ho did to the accompaniment of the boatswain's pipes, salutes and the clicking of newsreel cameras. , Signalman Crispin was on H.M.S. Bulldog, aboard which' Major-Genera) Heine signed the surrender terms on a rum barrel on the quarterdeck. Next morning, "as Signalman Crispin, together With an occupying force of 22 soldiers and "two . Army and one Navy officers, hauled inshore, few Germans were visible, but hundreds of Union Jacks were displayed. . At a hotel taken over as headquarters, Signalman Crispin established a signalling station, maintaining continual contact With the Bulldog.