NURSES FOR THE FRONT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 7

NURSES FOR THE FRONT

m "Disinterested" writes:— "The sentence in Saturday's leading article ('What is the number of private nurses volunteering for service abroad?') has been, interpreted as a reflection on the private muses, as questioning their willingness to volunteer for service with the forces. As a matter of fact, private nurses have volunteered in large numbers. If the hospital staffs have been, reduced — and it is questioned 'whether they have been seriously reduced— that is due to preference being given to hospital nurses— as against private nursee— in the matter of selection. Reverse the preference, _ and the trouble will cease. There is, indeed, very strong competition among all nurses for the honour RtA privilege of joining the detachments t&3> New Zealand Government is 6ending abroad. Successful nurses receive higher pay, a uniform, and a trip to England, and are therefore liberally treated. On the other hand, many private nurses have gone, at their own expense, to England, in order to secure there positions as Army nurses. Surely this action represents a greater act of self-sacrifice than, simply going to tho front on the liberal terms New Zealand offers. By tho steamer leaving for England on Saturday several private nurses will depart for the t purpose of volunteering at Home, paying all their own expenses ; mA thera are many others." The context of the quory quoted show*, ed plainly that no slur ou the patriotic spirit of private nurses was either hiado or implied. On the contrary, the whole tenor of the article indicated that the authorities should ascertain the number of qualified private nurses available for service abroad before giving the superintendents of public hospitals cause for complaint about, the depletion of hospital staffs.

Private Ernest J. Cook (Auckland Battalion, killed) was very well known, in Auckland boxing circles. As a lightweight, he was very successful, defeating such clever exponents nt> Whalloy, Cadman. Crane, Morrison, Stock, and others. He was always fcflown as an uduurftWr .(ooj-tßmMj,