“HOSPITAL DAY”

Hawera Star, Volume L, 11 July 1930, Page 9

“HOSPITAL DAY”

PROPOSAL DEEMED UNNECESSARY FEAR OF OVERLAPPING EXPRESSED. it was announced; in yesterdays issue of the “Star” that plans were in hand lor inaugurating a “Hospital Day ’ ’ lor the whole of the South Taranaki hospital district, with a view to establishing a fund upon which the matron ol the Hawera Hospital could draw to.- purchase clothing, etc., tor necessitous patients. Opinions definitely opposed to the proposal were expressed in an interview to-day by Mesdames. Paeey and Henry, president and secretary respectively of the Hawera, branch of the Women’s National Reserve.

Both ladies said that they were aware of no need lor an appeal being made to the public for sucli an object. The Reserve, though it made no appeals direct to the public, was in close, touch with the needs ol the. poor and unfortunate in the district, even beyond the confines of the borough of Hawera, and during the year was continuously at work, providing relief where needed. It was contended that though the work of the Reserve was perhaps not spectacular, inasmuch as it lias not knoivn to tin* general public, it was effective. The Reserve worked in close touch with the Hospital Board s charitable aid officer, Mrs Twaddle, who knew that the services of members were always at her disposal. The Reserve had no need to seek publicity in connection with its work. Its members could be easily communicated with and so. soon a,s it became- known that a, family was in distress, steps were taken to provide the necessities required, whether they were garments, bedclothes, lood or furniture. At the same time, it was stated, the Reserve did not expend its energies uselessly, but always made full enquiries from reliable sources regarding the merits of the case under review. Invariably, however, it acted quickly and did not delay giving aid. “Members of the public are very good,” said Mrs Paeey, “and we never applv to individuals in vain.” The patients at the hospital, for whom the proposed fund was to be established, were already the concern of the Reserve, she added, and on many occasions the Rleserve had! provided needy patients with clothing and other necessities.

Both Mrs Paeey and Mrs Henry said that they could not help viewing tile proposal to make an annual “Hospital Day” appeal as being unnecessary and, to .some, extent, an expression of want of confidence in the members of the Reserve, many of whom had given splendid service over a. long number of years to the very object which the appeal was designed to benefit. “Donations in money and kind are always welcomed by the Reserve,’’ said Mrs Paeey. “The mere fact that we do not make an appeal to the public, by means of a street collection or a canvass, does not mean that we are an affluent body. AVe are always glad of assistance, but- li e manage to carry on without direct appeals to the public, who never fail us as individuals when we find that the demands made -upon us are greater than our resources.’’ Questioned about the activities of the Reserve- generally, Mrs Paeey said that in addition to looking after the poor and needy the Reserve supported many local organisations. It provided women helpers when local societies and institutions, other than those of a charitable nature, made appeals to the public or organised entertainments in order to raise funds. In addition, it was, as a branch of the. AVomen’s. National Reserve, linked up with the organisation through-out New Zealand and assisted to maintain a residential nursery for working mothers in AA’ellington. Members did knitting and sewing for the Wellington institution, beside doing needle work for local cases of hardship. Many complete baby outfits had been supplied to- needy mothers.