NURSES FOR THE FRONT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 150, 22 December 1914, Page 6

NURSES FOR THE FRONT

Australia and Canada, it is stated, are sending trained nurses to the front. Why is not New Zealand providing a fair proportion of skilled helpers? This question is discussed by " Red Cross " in a letter to The Post to '' - and the writer offers strong ix iy tho authorities should furnish us for suitable women to make the long journey to the battle lines of Europe. It may be said by objectors .that the supply abroad is equal to the demand, but it is extremely unlikely that the amount of trained talent exceeds the need. There was certainly an abundance of British volunteer untrained nurses in South Africa during the war, but numbers of them had not the necessary knowledge and skill to make them a comfort to wounded soldiers. Apart from the uniform, there was very little about some of them to suggest ability as a nurse. New Zealand has certificated nurses who are eager for serious service; they are not lightheaded dreamers of " lied Cross " romances. They desire an opportunity to do good work, for which they are well qualified. We believe that the Defence Department should be glad to accept thesa offers of competeut nurses. We cannot imagine that the Imperial authorities would reject bucli excellent aid Apart from the actual benefit which such trained nurses co«ld be in the theatre of war, the sending of a company of, say, fifty would be one more influence for good in the growing Imperial fellowship. With daughters as nurses and sons as soldiers for the Empire's cause in 'Europe, Africa, or Asia, the people of New Zealand would feel themselves drawn closer than ever to the iMother Country and to Australia) Canada, and other States.