ANOTHER SHAME AND DISGRACE

NZ Truth, Issue 78, 15 December 1906, Page 5

ANOTHER SHAME AND DISGRACE

■ ♦ ■■ ON NEW ZEALAND, "THE WORKERS' PARADISE." There seems to be more shameless sweating going on m New Zealand than m any other part of the world this paper ever heatd of, and the greatest sweater of the lot is the Government. The workers know it, too, but seem to submit supinely. The writer heard one' of a group of Government Printing Office employees the other night assert- indignantly :. "The greatest sweating den m Wellington is the Government Printing Office." and his hearers earnestly endorsed his statement. Last we,ek "Truth" published the "list, of duties" a wards-man at Taranaki Hospital was expected to perform, and hereiinder is given' a similar- list of what is expected of a male attendant at Ashburton Old Men's Home. A perusal of the list will be enough to arouse the honest indignation of the readers at such shameless sweating. Mark the hours, the work, and then note the emolument. New Zealand should hang her he.ad m shame instead of- bragging so boastfully and misleading England's toilers into rushing here to 'get rich m a hurry. Here is the list referred to, as sent to an applicant :— ' Tuarangi Old Men's Home, ■ Ashburton, 20'Npv., 1906. Applicants must be !s'ingie h 'S^^ of good physique, and 'not under 20. or over 35 years of age. 'lbe attendant's duties are- chiefly indoors ; , he will sleep m the attendant's room close to the Inftaary Ward, and may occasionally be called up during the night to attend sick inmates. . The duties comprise :— Making beds, scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, bathing inmates, cutting hair, administering medicines and enemas, and generally acting as a male nurse, besides making himself useful and obliging m various other duties. , Duty commences at 6 a.m., and though not necessarily on duty all the time he will be m charge of his department until bed time— unless relieved by arrangement. Leave of absence.— A weekly half- ' holiday from 1 to 10 p.m., and every alternate Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. An annual holiday of fourteen days is also granted at the end of I each year's service. * . The attendant will receive his general instructions from the master ; but m regard to sick nursing he must accept special instructions from the Matron. The attendant must exercise the greatest tact, patience and good temper m his dealings with the inmates. I The . salary :— Payable monthly, will be at the rate of 25s per week | (£65 per annum) including board, I residence and washing. The engagement may be terminated jat the expiry of one month's notice on either side: The successful applicant will be required to commence his duties as soon as possible after engagement. • THOS. M. MORRISS^V,