VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16912, 19 July 1915, Page 6

VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

As the secretary of tho "Volunteer Sisterhood" is asking the public to finance the movement it Is quite fair that the scheme should be carefully examined. We believe the promoters prefer that this should be done; they desire that nobody 6hall subscribe unless he or she is entirely satisfied that the enterprise is worthy of support. For our part, we must confess that we do not understand how such a scheme can met with disfavour. Tt assuredly aims at supplying an urgent want, and if it had' been sooner in active operation at Trentham it is probable that several deaths would bavo been prevented. The objections have beer, advanced that the scheme is unofficial and that only trained' nurses ought to be sent away to help tend sick and wounded soldiers. But there is a shortage of trained nurses and a reasonably full supply of women such as comprise the Volunteer Sisterhood at present and are, we feel sure, going to increase its ranks in the early future. The women who are being organised for dispatch to Egypt are not trained nurses, it is true; but each group of ten will be instructed by a trained nurse and will work under proper authority ] as nurse orderlies, ,just as men without special qualification are doing now in the military camps and hospitals because women are not provided. The Volunteer Sisters will work. They will wash and scrub, clean and' cook, for the sick; and under expert coaching will quickly learn at least the elementary rules of real practical nursing. In a statement by the secretary which appears in Saturday's Wellington " Post," the position is frankly explained. " No doubt later we shall got official sanction and help and financing," says the eecrotary. "But at present we are without it, so far as sending the women abroad is concerned. The Imperial orders are that no women but trained nurses to be sent abroad.. Before our Government can officially sanction the sending of members of the Volunteer Sisterhood sorao changes must be made in.these orders. To make such changes means delay and perhaps waste of time arguing as to the worth of our women as nurses and orderlies. Meantime men are losing their lives and their limbs for lack of help our women under direction are easily able to give. We want to send them abroad quickly where they bare proved their worth. We don't want to wait for hospital ships or troop ships. We want to send them by direct mail steamers to Egypt, each group of ten volunteers in charge of a trained nurse, who will coach them in aseptic methods and bandaging on the voyage. We know they are wanted." There can be no doubt that the number of casualties is beyond expectations and is overtaxing the medical and nursing services. Under the circumstances the regulations aTe sure to be revised and sensibly relaxed, providing ample scope for the employment of women of the Volunteer Sister type. If a couple of hundred of such willing. patriotic workeis were sent from New Zealand to Egypt at once we are of opinion that they would be welcomed by those in charge of the military hospitals.