NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 257, 31 October 1933, Page 10

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

There was a large attendance of delegates from affiliated bodies at the meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women last evening. The president, Miss Ellen Melville, was in the chair. A letter from the Dominion secretary of the National Council stating that a conference was to be held in Christchurch next April gave rise to considerable discussion. It was thought that the sum of £50 would be needed to send the delegates. Ways and means of raising the money were discussed, Mrs. A. D. Campbell deprecating the suggestion of a garden party alone as a means of raising a large sum of money. It was suggested that each affiliated body undertake to raise the sum of one guinea. This suggestion was immediately supported by Mrs. L. David Nathan, who guaranteed the sum on behalf of the Hospital Auxiliary on the understanding that the other bodies contribute the same amount. Mother Hannah suggested that if each member of the affiliated bodies contributed sixpence the amount would soon be raised. Mrs. Dreaver's suggestion that a raffle be held and Mrs. David Nathan's proposal of an art union as the only way to raise money in Auckland were, heard with laughter. Mrs. A. D. Campbell thought that if the affiliated bodies were to be asked to contribute a certain sum, the previously suggested garden party should be held as well. It was finally decided to hold a garden party sometime near the end of November or early in December and to ask each society to raise or contribute a sum of 5/ or more towards the expense of sending delegates to Christchureh. A.suggestion contained in a remit to the council, that the advance pay made to relief workers at Christmas be paid as an order for groceries or other goods was abandoned after considerable discussion.

Mrs. Dreaver was of the opinion that the matter was clearly not one in which the council should interfere. Mrs. A. Cook said that the money was not wages, but, if paid this year as it was last year, would be more in the nature of a gift. It was pointed out by Mrs. Campbell that the money was paid to the men for their holiday between. Christmas and New Year, and that the council was not in a position to spend it for them. Miss Alice Basten said that the advance pay in wages had been made so that the workers would have a little more money to spend at Christmas time and they should receive the money in cash. They already received more orders than enough. Mrs. Hutehinson said that it was lack of spending power that the relief worker felt most. If thciv little extra amount of money was taken away from them they would be pauperised. It was finally decided that no action be taken.

St. Helens Hospital

A letter from the Interdenominational Youth Society was received pointing out that girls should be warned bv some specific examples of the results and penalties accruing from failure to meet dues on clothes purchased on the instalment system. The matter was referred to a special investigation committee who would endeavour to cite the specific instances of the abuse of the instalment system as desired. Reports from the various sub-committees were submitted, Miss Jackson reading a comprehensive report on the findings of the social welfare committee which had been investigating the question of birth control at the instigation of the Auckland Federation of Women's Institutes. A remit from the associate members suggested that all St. Helens hospitals should have a resident medical officer. The social welfare committee, in reporting to the council upon the result, considered that patients in St. Helens Hospital should have the same expectation of protection against suffering as that which other women in better financial circumstances were able to command. It was also considered that, as the hospitals were chiefly under tho control of women, the appointment of medical women to act in the capacity of anaesthetists would appear to be desirable, although the appointment of medical men wishing to obtain obstetrical experience need not necessarily be precluded. In the discussion on the report it was pointed out that, provided the patient's health and condition permitted it, anaesthetics could always be given her if she wished. It was finally recommended that resident medical officers with power to administer anaesthetics be appointed to all the St. Helens hospitals in the Dominion. A report was also made to the council on the remit that the council investigate the advisability or otherwise of establishing psychopathic wards at the Auckland General Hospital. Mrs. David Nathan was convener of the subcommittee. A very business-like report, described by the president as a model report, was submitted. Mrs. Nathan, in reading the report, stated that she had interviewed Dr. J. W. Craven, of the Auckland ' Hospital, and Dr. Buchanan, of the Mental Hospital, who had. both considered the proposition impracticable. Mrs. Nathan had also written to the medical officer of the Dunedin Hospital for his opinion, who also deprecated the building of the wards at the general hospital both on account of the extra expense and the restricted field for treatment. The sub-committee had later visited the mental hospital at Avondale. In a conference with Dr. Craven, Dr. Buchanan and Dr. Grey, the committee had discussed the matter very fully. The cost was estimated at about £3000 at leaet, and the keeping of 50 mental patients at the Auckland Hospital would entail a specially trained staff to ensure the correct treatment. It was thought that the expense would not be justified. Dr. Grey had stated that, while he did not consider the present system of medical hospitals perfect, he was of the opinion that it was much, better than it had been and was improving steadily all the time. The sub-committee paid a tribute to the way in which the mental patients were treated in the Mental Hospital, stating that anything less than a preconceived idea of a mental hospital it would be difficult to find, and it would be impossible to see patients in more favourable surroundings. Mrs. Nathan and her sub-committee were thanked for their comprehensive report. Appreciation of the work of Mr. McNair in providing the council with bridge tables was made, while thanks were expressed to Mies Heath-Preest, who had been able to raise the sum of £4 10/6 for the council with a bridge party. Miss Newton submitted the reports of the interim committee. Miss A. Basten submitted the reports on the national and civic committees dealing with the overseas markets question and the employment of waitresses. ,