NURSES’ VIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 February 1939, Page 3

NURSES’ VIEW

CONDITIONS IN SPAIN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE ADDRESSES IN THEATRE ROYAL I Conditions during the civil war in Spain as seen from a nurse's viewpoint were described to a fairly large audience in the Theatre Royal last night by the two New Zealand nurses, Sister R. j M. Shadbolt and Nurse I. Dodds, who i have recently returned from Spain., where they were sent by the Spanish j Medical Aid Committee. An appeal for j money to enable food to be sent to the j women and children in Spain resulted I in £ls 9s being taken up, while promises were estimated to bring tiie amount to from £25 to £3O. A committee was afterwards formed to further the appeal. Mrs W. Lock was in the chair.

Mrs Lock said she was pleased to preside at the meeting which had been called under the auspices of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee, whose aim was humanitarian and non-political. She read an article by the Dean of Canterbury on conditions in Spain, and added that when one thought of the conditions in the world to-day, one wondered about our boasted civilisa- , tion. It seemed that greed and selfishness were at the bottom of it all, and a united front should be made so that war should cease. The nurses would describe conditions in Spain as they saw them. Mr H. Atmore, M.P., welcomed the nurses on behalf of the whole district, if the women of the world all did their bit to prevent war, he said, it would not be many years before war would be banished. There was no such thing as a war to end war; evil could not end evil. The chaotic conditions of to-day* would continue because of the defiance of moral law’s. 'The fight was on throughout the world between all those who believed in democracy and those who believed in force and restraint of the people in the interests of the capitalists of the world. The brains ot many scientists, instead of being used for constructive purposes were being used for destructive means. After referring to international politics Mr Atmore concluded by asserting that higher education was not enough till it touched the moral point. Mr J. B. Carr said that he was representing the Nelson Labour Representation Committee because the Labour movement was interested in anything of a humanitarian nature. The nurses had come to raise funds to assist the women and children of Spain. He hoped Nelson would not be backward in doing something to help the Spanish Medical Aid Committee. EXPERIENCES RELATED Sister Shadbolt returned thanks for the welcome given. She said that they went as nurses prepared to do their duty. They felt that they represented the people of New Zealand, and if they did that well it was more than enough reward. The people of Spain were grateful for the help given by the democratic sections of other nations, and took a great interest in New Zealand.

The speaker explained that they were sent under the auspices of the Spanish Medical Committee. It was felt that this Dominion should send aid, and that it should be medical assistance. New Zealand had done very well in this respect in comparison with other countries. Sister Shadbolt said that on leaving England on their way to Spain, when travelling through France, though they could not speak the language, they found the people most helpful. On arrival at the border they joined up with an American convoy. The Americans, she added, had given more aid than anyone. On going through they had the experience of seeing a town which had just been bombed. It had no military object, but this beautiful little town bad just been laid waste.

On arrival at Valencia they went to a hospital which was overflowing. Most of the casualties came from the front near Madrid. It was a large monastery which had not been used for several years. There was nothing continuous about the medical supplies and food was short. These hospitals were used as cultural centres for the villages round about. In Central Spain the people were most illiterate, and the Government was trying to teach the people. Reading, writing and arithmetic were taught ir. the hospitals to the Spanish nurses, patients and people from the villages. The New Zealanders were at this hospital for some nine months. They went to Madrid and tried to broadcast to New Zealand, but the broadcast was jammed. The speaker remarked that it was surprising how the Spaniards had protected the works of art and the beautiful buildings in Madrid.

After nine months it was heard that a big attack was going to take place on the road between Valencia and Barcelona. and all the international hospitals had to be evacuated from central Spain, They had a long journey by train which was shelled several times. It was the same with sick patients coming in who had to wait till dark to be shifted from the front.

The nurse said that it was just over a year ago when patients started to arrive after the Teruel attack. She described the scenes in the hospital and the condition of the men. some of whom had no food for a week, and, though it was winter, were clad In cotton shirts and canvas shoes, yet lay there without a sound of complaint. The Government a year ago took over the control of all supplies which were sent to a central depot which distributed them to the hospitals and ensured that all received a fair share. There Aere wild scenes in Catalonia when new hospitals were being established. The Government showed a strong grip, and though it had to conduct the war and deal with the refugee problem ns well, there were no signs of panic, and m less than two months the hospitals were fitted up. Throughout it all t|jerc war a lack of equipment and scarcity of food.

The nurses were later stationed in a hospital outside Barcelona and the speaker described conditions there. She considered that the people were marvellous in the way they stood up to the bombing of the civilian population. After two years of war the people did not have sufficient food or clothing, and winter was coming on. Barcelona had gone through virtual starvation. Women were seen rummaging round the streets like hungry dogs. They had also suffered from a lack of sleep for two years. The strain of continual bombing raids was stated to be enormous. The

nurses felt they could not go back to easy civilian life until they had done

something to alleviate the suffering of those whom they felt were their friends. The farewell to the internationals in Spain was described as a wonderful event A million to a million and a half people lined the streets of Barcelona, and did all they could to show the gratitude they felt for the help given them. It was a marvellous and spontaneous farewell, and the speaker said she had never felt the thrill she had felt that afternoon. Nurse Dodd said that their return was clouded with sorrow when they thought of the people they had left behind. Barcelona had fallen, and they did not dare to think of what had happened to ’hose they kriew. The nurse said that they were always impressed I with the way the Government had tried |to carry out the things for which it was elected. The towns had practically no sanitation, and it was a difficult j idea in the hospitals to educate the j people on hygienic principes. Not- ' withstanding, it was surprising how quickly the Spanish girls learned. In j Barcelona the Government had always endeavoured to distribute food evenly, but money could not buy food in Spain. The nurse then read an appeal by La Pasionaria. the leader of women in I Republican Spain, and pointed out that ibis appeal was made at the beginning of winter, and conditions would now be | much worse, especially now that Barcelona had fallen. The urgent need of food and medical supplies was greater than ever. It was easy to forget in comfortable conditions the strife and battle in Spain Nurse Dodds reiterated that the cry in Sonin was for food. Mr A. S Edwards (secretary of the Motueka L.R.C.) apologised for the absence of Mr C. F. Skinner. MP. for Motueka. who was detained in Motueka on business. He referred to the situation in FfLain. and said that those present could not do less than respond as ; best they could to the appeal by the Mrs H. Atmore said that one felt that ! they had heard the prologue to a long, sad and tragic story. A heartfelt api peal had been made for those who were ' suffering Surely New Zealand could send some food to Spain. There must I be many in Nelson who were not presI ent who could be influenced to help.

f A vote of thanks to the nurses for the i. addresses, which had been most appeal i ing. was moved by Mr McLeod, who l also moved that the meeting pledge itf self to do all possible to help the , women and childien in Spain. In seconding the motion. Mr W. T. . Conibeare said that the request must s appeal to them from all angles, i The motion was carried enthusiastit cally. / NELSON BRANCH FORMED At the conclusion of the lecture a c large nunjber of the audience remained and a local branch of the committee | * was formed. A comimttee of twenty- * five was set up with Mrs G. L. Page. Mayoress, as President. Mrs W. Lock, vice-president. Mr W. E. White, honorary secretary and treasurer. Members on the committee include representaa tives from Motueka. Richmond. Wakes field and Brightwater, in which places sub-committees will shortly be formed. A general committee meeting will be held in Nelson on Wednesday. Bth Feb--1 ruary, when arrangements regarding a J concert and a street collection will be finalised.