NURSES’ MEMORIAL FUND

Evening Star, Issue 22990, 22 June 1938, Page 3

NURSES’ MEMORIAL FUND

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the New Zealand Nurses’ Memorial Fund was hold vesterday afternoon in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, the president (Sir Lindo Ferguson) being in tho chair. The Chairman said that there was nothing much he could add to the information published l in the annual report. The fund had been of great use to a number of nurses. Unfortunately the reduction in the rate of interest had seriously affected the balance to the credit of the fund and, as he had remarked on previous occasions, were it not for the help given by the nurses through their various organisations it would not be possible to make ends meet. “ I am tired of saying,” remarked the Chairman, “ that the public and the medical profession do not appear to recognise the importance of the fund and l the necessity for supporting it.” , Sir Lindo added that a question had been raised concerning the amount of the running costs of the fund. He explained that all payments were made by cheque, and the duty and postage upon these, together with bank charge and exchange, accounted for the bulk of the amount shown. And £ls, the speaker added, was not am excessive expenditure in relation to the amount dealt with, an amount of £1 400. _ Mr James Begg seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and emphasised the importaiico of the fund, which, he said, was one of the Great War memorials. Durum the course of its existence the fund distributed some £20,000, and in so doing had relieved tho bodily and mental distress of a large number of those who were in trouble. One pleasing feature was the _ sustained and growing interest manifested by the Nurses’ Association, which obviously appreciated the work being done. Mr Begg expressed pleasure at the tact that Mr J. M. Paterson had consented to join the committee. The motion was carried. The following office-bearers were elected President, Sir Lindo Ferguson; vice-presidents, Mr James Begg and Mr J. M. Paterson (Dunedin) and Dr William Young (Wellington); committee—Miss M. J. Lambie and Lady Hosking (Wellington), Mrs Ethel AKidd and Dr Milson (Auckland), Miss J. L. Beck and Sir Hugh Acland (Canterbury). Dr R. Burns Watson (Southland), Miss Holford Miss Lancaster. Miss Theomin. and Mr C. W. Rattray (Otago); lion, secretary. Mrs H. W Bundle; hon. treasurer, Mr Janies A. M'Kinnon; hon. auditor, Mr \V. 1. Monk man; bon. solicitor. Mr A. INH l&lditch, on behalf of the Registered Nurses’ Association, of which body she is president, expressed her thanks for the great assistance given to nurses bv the fund, assistance which, she said, had often meant the difference between hope and despair. The association felt eternally grateful to those far-seeing people wh,o had inaugurated the fund. Votes of thanks were accorded the hon. secretary, the hon. treasurer, the other honorary officers, and the Press.