HOURS OF LABOUR IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12570, 3 August 1901, Page 9

HOURS OF LABOUR IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir^ —I am- sure when, the public of Canterbury subscribed money to establish a home for old people, who, through a number of disabilities,' including old age, to attend to their own wants or comforts, that it never was intended that the attendants should he asked to. work unreasonable I am now referring to the Jubilee Home, Woolston. I will take the case of the male attendant first. To my own personal knowledge ho has very often to bo on duty for forty-eight, hours continuously. On account of the trying time lately there has been a lot of sickness, and as there are about sixty old people in the Home-, I think anyone will admit that there should be at least another attendant. At present duty starts at six in the morning, and, if required, continues on, until next day. Now, I maintain that no one can do his' duty working such . unreasonable hours. Again, many of the old- people are getting a little childish, and very often potty little jealousies arise which require a good deal of tact to deal with, and anyone working under the above conditions cannot give tho amount of sympathy and consideration.,necessary. In our hospital things are better regulated, and I fail to see why not at this Home, where the conditions are just as trying, 'if not more so. Surely thfc management ought to have a little consideration for tho old people if ■not for their own employees. I hope some abler pen will take this up, as surely there 'can be no nobler work than trying to make our old people’s remaining days as i easy, as possible. Our own turn in. a great many cases may come any 'days—l am, etc., ■ • JUSTICE.