NURSES ANXIOUS TO SERVE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 150, 22 December 1914, Page 3

NURSES ANXIOUS TO SERVE

TO TBI EDITOR Sir,—As you are perhaps aware, ■ there are very many nurses in this Dominion, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of patriotism, as well as with the highest ideals of their noble profession, who are anxious to serve their King and their country, at or rear the seat of war in Europe Amongst this number »re many of our best nurses. It is perhaps not well known that the qualifications required of a. 1 nurse for registration in New Zealand giye_ us nurses of more than average training. Consequently, wo could be represented by a body of nurses who would be a credit to their country* as well as to their profession. Except for the few nurses sent to Samoa, (who have, I understand, already acquitted themselves creditably, and justified their selection}^ no nurses have gone with our Expeditionary Forces. Canada has sent many nurses, Australia is send;ng some 200. Why should not Now Zealand send a de tachmont of, sa.y, 50? These women rightly think that they should be given an opportunity, as well as tho men, to participate in active military service in Europe for the honour and glory of their country. Had trained nurses been sent away with our transports it would have been better for the men, for there has been on the transport? a considerable amount of serious illness, and more than one major operation. What experience in nursing have most of the orderlies who have gone with the troops? Most of' them would handle a sick man, probably, for the first time, on board ship or after landing. If the British War Office does not want any more nurses. I think our Government should offer a detachment of nurses to the French War Office. According to the British Medical Journal of 7th November, the French Minister of War was asking for 300 fully trained British nurses. I must apologise for asking foi so much space for my remarks, but I consider that.it is due to the trained nurses of New Zealand that their grievance should be ventilated.—l am, etc., RED CROSS. Wellington, 19th December, 1914.