HOSPITAL STAFFS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1945, Page 4

HOSPITAL STAFFS.

[to the editor.l Sir,—The “Star” to-night states the offensive is about to be reopened against defenceless women and girls, in si for domestics in the Grey Hospital. tp be followed in a month’s time by a drive for staffing the mental hospital. The oft repeated pitiful but hopeless fight of the girls who do not wish to take up this work will be in papers.’ A more simple and human method whereby the necessary labour can be obtained voluntarily is to offer higher wages and shorter working hours. If men are urgently needed for any particular work attractive (if absurd) rates of pay are offered in spite of so called stabilisation. One instance being the fancy wages offered to tradesmen to go to Lyttelton for urgent ship repair work. When miners, waterside workers and others are asked to do any wet, dangerous or unpleasant work high rates must be paid or they refuse. Surely the same privilege should be extended to the weaker sex. Offer women, say £1 a day, for a six hour day, five days a week, and the mental hospital will soon be staffed with willing workers. In my opinion they would only be getting what they deserve. lam etc. SYMPATHISER.