MEN FOUND IN DOMESTICS' HOME

Northern Advocate, 19 May 1949, Page 4

MEN FOUND IN DOMESTICS' HOME

RAWENE, Thu. (Sp.).-—The problem of hospital domestics taking men into their bedrooms at the hospital was discussed yesterday by members of the Hokianga Hospital Board. “This is a problem that occurs in other hospitals, too, but there is no doubt that it is a serious one here,” said the chairman (Mr A. R. Cox). ' It was stated that recently the medical superintendent had had a visit from the local constable saying that the position was becoming “too hot” and suggesting that a “raid” ought to be made.

A RAID THAT FAILED The medical superintendent agreed, but insisted on placing notices up to warn the 6tafl. The “raid" came off on a Saturday night Perhaps owing to the fact that it seemed to be widely known in the town beforehand and perhaps because it was held as early at 12.30 a-m., whereas 2.30 am. would have caught some of the late homegoers from the dance, the raiding party found only two men in the domestics’ home—and both were patients in the hospital. “On the night the circus was in Rawene, there were 17 men up there,” 6aid the chairman. PARENTS’ ATTITUDE

respected in the Maori community and capable of enforcing obedience. On the motion of Mr A. G. C. Yarborough, it was resolved to advertise in the county for such a woman. Mr Cooper was asked to assist in her selection.

Members believed that this system would eradicate the trouble. As a result better-type girls should come forward, not only for domestic work but for nursing. A suggestion had been made to him, said the chairman, that possibly tho board could be held partly to blame for tire situation.

This was because it had not provided anything in the nature of a sitting- . room.

“You certainly are not getting the best type of Maori girl in the district,” said Mr W. Cooper, who besides being Motukaraka riding member, is the Maori Affairs Department’s consolidation officer.

“Parents will not allow their daughters to go. to the hospital—it has such a bad name.”

He was sure that one of the troubles was that the department’s female Maori welfare officers at Wanearei and Kaitaia were so far away and had so much work to do nearer home that they were simply not able to give attention to conditions in Hokianga, which was on the outer edg£ of their territory. WOMAN SUPERVISOR Board members agreed firmly on the need to appoint a capable married Maori woman to choose the domestics, control and supervise them. She should be a woman widely-