NEW ZEALAND OR EGYPT?

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 93, 18 October 1915, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND OR EGYPT?

In the eatly days of her campaign, Miss Rout, organiser of ihe Volunteer Sisterhood, issued a proclamation, in which she warned man, official or unofficial, not to intervene between woman and her historic mission of nursing. As far as we have been able to observe, men of all classes wish to be helpful, not obstructive, to women who •wish to nurse the sick and wounded, but there is a difference of opinion as to the methods of using the money raised for the Volunteer Sisterhood Miss Rout is eager to have women sent to Egypt, whether they have been trained or not — in the hope that they may be useful, at least, as " nurses' orderlies." This aspect of the case was discussed by The Post three months ago m an article which concluded thus: — "We believe that the boundaries of New Zealand furnish sufficient space for the Sisterhood's activities for some time, especially as the hardest days are yet to come." The events in the interval have strengthened that belief — but Miss Rout has her own opinion She is now in conflict with Mr Russell, Minister of Public Health, who is emphatically against the proposed expedition to Egypt, and the objector — evidently speaking with definite knowledge of the Government's mmd — gave good reasons for his attitude The point is that the Government takes responsibility in the arrangements * for skilled nurses, and native labour is available for incidental tasks The" people now have a rathei incongruous spectacle of two controls — one by the Government and the other by Miss Rout. An average member of the public may well believe that the whole of the work necessary for sick and wounded soldiers should be done by direction of the Government or by arrangement between one Government and another. Nothing necessary to the health and comfort of soldiers should be left to the chance 'of private enthusiasm or generosity There is good scope for the Volunteer Sisterhood within New Zealand, but its activities mußb necessarily fit in smoothly with the work of the State Untrained women, who have offered to go to Egypt, have an admirable zeal to be helpful, but they do not lack opportunities to put every spare moment to good purpose m New Zealand for the benefit of this country's soldier sons Miss Rout is apparently disposed to flout Mr. Russell, but her mood of defiance should not be used by others as an excuse for misguided persistency Each Volunteer Sister, wno intends going to Egypt, should ask herself this question : " Where can I be the more useful — in Egypt or New Zea , land?" The weight of evidence is distinctly on the side of New Zealand, and, in addition, the passage money could be saved for the advantage of the sick ana wounded soldiers.