HOSPITAL STAFF WAGES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21718, 27 February 1936, Page 12

HOSPITAL STAFF WAGES

BOARD MAKES FULL RESTORATION VERY LITTLE OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL The reduction of salaries and wages paid to the North Canterbury Hospital Board’s staff, made in 1931, will be fully restored as from April 1 next. This was decided by the board at a meeting yesterday, the decision being made with very little opposition. Half the cuts were restored last year. The proposal for restoration was made in a notice of motion by Mr W. j. Walter. He said that last year it was understood, when half the cuts were restored, that the balance would be restored this year. He thought that most of the hospital boards in New Zealand were considering the matter carefully now, and he believed most had made full restoration. Quoting the wages paid to some sections of the staff, Mr Walter said that in 1931 firstyear members of the staff were paid £3O a year; the ctft reduced that figure by nearly 27 per cent., to £22. With the restoration last year of half the cut, the wages rose to £25 14s. The nurses were doing wonderful work; patients and visitors all spoke highly of them, and the only complaint was that they were poorly paid. Second year nurses were paid £4O; the cut reduced them by £9; now they received £35 3s. Third year nurses were paid £44 12s now. “I think it is generally understood that things have improved and that wo have turned the corner,” Mr Walter said. “The board has a very good staff. Wo have no trouble with it, but other hospitals are having a good deal of trouble, and rows in the staffs themselves.” Mr A. G. Smith, seconding the motion, emphasised that all the staff had suffered in the cuts, and all should benefit in the restoration. Mr J. S. Barnett, supporting the restoration, claimed that any confusion over the partial restoration made was owing to Ihe wording of the resolution. He said that it was a matter for groat satisfaction that since the cuts had been made in the interests of the country districts, the motion for restoration should come from a country representative. The chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) told the Rev. F. T. Read that the restoration involved an additional expenditure of- £4578, half of which would be found by the Government. Mr ;H. A. Bennett was the only member of the board directly to express opposition during the discussion. Stating that he intended to vote against the motion, ho said that the staff', for which he had a great deal of respect, was very well treated and well paid. He had heard no complaints about the position. The money for the restored wages had to be found and considering tiie tragedy in his county, the ratepayers would be unable to find ,tlio money for any increased taxation. The chairman said that the Auckland Hospital Board had already restored the cuts and no doubt the Wellington Hospital would do the same thing before the end of the year. He emphasised, however, that, with all the talk about how well the country was doing, there were still numbers of unemployed. The resolution was carried on the voices, with only a few dissentients. RESTORATION FAVOURED OPINIONS OF MAYOR OF RANGIORA Opposition to the views expressed by Mr H. A. Bennett, at the meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday, when he spoke against the restoration of salary and wage cuts, was voiced by the Mayor, Mr C. W. Tyler, at the meeting of tho Rangiora Borough Council last evening. "As a council, I think we should dissociate ourselves from Mr Bennett’s remarks,’’ said the Mayor. “Nurses are worked very hard and while we sympathise with farmers in their losses I do not think we should take away from the nurses to assist them.” While Mr Bennett was not solely the representative of the council he was the direct representative of the borough on tho board, added Mr Tyler. Mr W. C. Prosser said that if the borough was not satisfied with its representation the remedy lay in its own hands.