SICK NURSES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1082, 22 March 1911, Page 9

SICK NURSES.

A CONCESSION REFUSED. . "That sick nurses belonging to the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association bo charged half rates when admitted to the Wellington Hospital," was a recommendation laid before the Hospital Board yesterday by its Hospital , Committee. Mr. Trevor raised objections. Outside nurses, he said, earned 'something like S.'i 3s. per week, and ho did not see why they should be admitted at half rates while other people no better off had to pay full price. Mr. Kirk said it had bean tho custom with all doctors and nursing establishments to deal with nurses on a preferential basis. Doctors, as a rule, did not charge nurses at 'all—they never charged moro than half rates. Private hospitals extended the same courtesy. These nurses, eaid Mr. Van Staveren, were following a very noble profession, and deserved consideration on that account. Moreover, although they earned £'i 3s. a week when working, their work was very arduous, and sometimes necessitated a long rest. There were thousands of other women in Wellington doing noble work, but not earning £3 3s. a week, argued Mr. Fitzgerald. He would oppose the proposal in the interests of the community at large. On a division the proposal was defeated by eight votes to seven.