NURSES’ CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23179, 31 January 1939, Page 12

NURSES’ CONFERENCE

INAUGURAL ADDRESSES Tho opening session of the annual conference of the New Zealand Registered Nurses’ Association was held in the Medical School this morning, when the president (Miss C. M'Kenny, M.8.E.) occupied the chair, there was a large attendance of members of the association from various parts of the Dominion. The President briefly introduced the medical officer of health , (Dr T. M'Kibbin), who declared the conference open. Dr M'Kibbin expressed his appreciation at being given the opportunity of formally opening the conference, and said that the Department of Health performed certain duties in connection with the training and examination of nurses and also .attempted to co-ordi-nate the services within the Dominion. The speaker, was sure that everyone in tde department, from the Minister and the Director-General of Health downwards, fully appreciated the high traditions of the nursing profession in New Zealand, and the value of such conferences. Pereonally, his dependence on and ' appreciation of nurses . liaa commenced at his birth, developed while in private practice, and risen to crescendo while on war service. Since then his dealings with nurses had not been so close, but had. been more documenta’ry. He fully realised, however, that the same fine service was being given. “ To-day there is an apparent shortage of nurses In New Zealand,” continued the speaker. “ Some of them are being taken to positions in South Africa and Australia, and others have been taken into the Auxiliary Nursing Service which has been established with the object of disease prevention. I hope, however, that some inducement will be given in New Zealand to retain their services within the country.” In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the discussions at the conference would be fruitful, and complimented the executive on the excellent roll-call. Dr D. W. Carmalt Jones remarked, that the building in which the conference was being held had housed many distinguished gatherings, the first of which had been' an Australasian Medical Conference. During the 20 years of his hopsital work the speaker had come into contact a great deal with nurses, and after seeing the nurses of New Zealand at work he had nothing but praise for them. One very seldom met a New Zealander who was a fool, remarked Dr Carmalt Jones, and that was also borne out amongst the nurses of the Dominion. It was to be hoped that this would be maintained in the years to come, and he would like to think that the very high standard which - had been set would be made universal.

I>r J. Thomson, medical superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital; briefly welcomed the delegates and extended an invitation to them to visit his institution and the Queen Mary Hospital. It was by the exchange of views and ideas that much of the benefit of such conferences was derived, he said. At the conclusion of the opening addresses the formal business of the conference was proceeded with. ■ The conference was preceded by a short ' devotional service at Knox Church, which was conducted by the Rev. D. C. Herron.