MISS PATTRICK'S RETIREMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 15

MISS PATTRICK'S RETIREMENT.

PLUNKET STATEMENT ISSUED,

In connection with the recent retirement of Miss A. Pattrick, director of Plunket nursing for New Zealand, a statement has been issued by the NewZealand Council of the Plunket Society to its 08 constituted branches. The statement has been made in view of resolutions and protests passed by some branches condemning the action of the executive council in calling for and accepting Miss Pattrick's resignation. The council appointed Miss N. Fitzgibbon, of Auckland, to the position of nursing advisor consequent upon Miss [Pattrick's resignation, but Miss Fitz-

gibbon later withdrew her acceptance pending a suggested inquiry into the position. The council says that as director of Plunket nursing Miss Pattrick had given valuable service and in all technical matters her .advice had been accepted and carried out, but as a salaried officer she was subject to the directions of the society and its executive, and her duty was to carry out the policy of the society as laid down by the council and its executive. For some years the council had been concerned over Miss Pattrick's actions and attitude toward it. Many instances had, directly and indirectly, made it clear to the council that it was not receiving from Miss Pattrick the loyalty and obedience to its directions that it was entitled to expect from its officers.

These matters were discussed several times at general council meetings. At the half-yearly general meeting held in Wellington on November 2 the matter was fully discussed in committee and a motion to the following cffect was unanimously agreed upon:—"That the central cotmcil of the Plunket Society here assembled, after full consideration, decide that the retirement of the director of Plunket nursing is in the best interests of the work of the society." Terms of Retirement. In view of the subsequent actions of the Wellington branch it should be mentioned that Mrs. Tytlie Brown, president of that branch, was present during tile full discussion and was in agreement with tlie decision arrived at. At the meeting a sub-committee was set up and deputed to wait upon Mr. Justice Blair, a member of the advisory board, the council to take his advice and arrangethe best means of carrying the resolution into effect. At this interview with Mr. Justice Blair, at which Mrs. Tythe Brown was also present, Mr. Justice Blair undertook to see Miss Pattrick's brother, when it was arranged that the latter should communicate to his sister the council's offer to accept her retirement on terms of six months' 'full pay and full superannuation as from the end of that six months, on the same basis as she would have been entitled to had she remained in the society's service until she reached the retiring age in about two years' time, in recognition of her services to the society. Resignation Accepted. The negotiations between Mr. Justice Blair, on behalf of the council, and Mr. Pattrick did not bring about the desired result, and after a lapse of four weeks it became necessary for the executive to instruct the administrative secretary to forward to Miss Pattrick a letter conveying the resolution of the general meeting of the council and offering the same terms as to salary and superannuation as had been offered through her brother, conditional upon her resignation being forthcoming by a certain date.

The council says Miss Pattrick's resignation lias been definitely accepted find she lias already been paid six months' salary, plus salary for holiday leave, which was nearly due. On reaching the retiring age she will receive a retiring allowance from the superannuation fund. The executive offered the vacant position to Miss Fitzgibbon, who accepted it, but has since withdrawn her acceptance pending a suggested inquiry into Miss Pattrick's resignation. Miss Pattrick Replies. A reply to the foregoing statement was made in Wellington last night by Miss Pattrick. She said she had never at any time been informed by the council or its executive of any specific complaints of "disloyalty" or "disobedience." However, during the last three years there had been a change in the attitude of certain members of the executive toward lier, but although she had on at least three occasions asked for a frank discussion in regard to the changed attitude, she had never been given an opportunity for this. "It is therefore quite evident that the signatories to the statement have made the statement without giving me any opportunity of answering such complaints as may have been made," Miss Pattrick said. "In other words, they can only possibly have heard one side of the case. As to the charges, I emphatically deny them. I have no desire at present to say anything further. lam quite content to leave the matter to be dealt with at the conference which has been called for that purpose, feeling sure that before any -decision is come to, the matter will be fully investigated from every angle."