PLUNKET SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22195, 23 February 1934, Page 7

PLUNKET SOCIETY

MISS PATTRICK'S RESIGNATION DISCUSSED BY CONFERENCE A COMPROMISE REACHED TENSE SITUATION RELIEVED Delegates from all' parts of the Dominion attended a conference of the Plunket Society held in the Early Settlers', Hall yesterday to consider Miss Pattrick's vacation of the office of director of Plunket nursing. The conference was called at the request of the Wellington, Lower Hutt, and Nelson branches and followed a controversy with respect to the justice of the action of the Central Council of the society in calling upon Miss Pattrick to resign ■ It was made clear at the outset that the council would regard'a decision adverse to the course that it had taken as *a vote of no confidence and that its resignation w,ould follow. It was also pointed out that if events took such a course the effect on the future of the society would be of a very serious nature. As a consequence a tense atmosphere existed' throughout the day, but the delegates appeared to be in a much happier frame of mind when a compromise between the two . factions which existed was reached in the evening on the suggestion of the Minister of Health (Mr J. A, Young). , The president of the Central Council, Mrs Joseph M'George, occupied the chair.

PRESIDENTS REMARKS . The president, in her opening remarks, stated that she wished to extend to the delegates and other members of the socety attending the conference a very cordial welcome to Dunedin. She understood that this was the first occasion on which some of those attending had ever visited Dunedin. She was exceedingly sorry that it was not under happier auspices that they, as well as all the delegates, were now doing so. She would like to point out that all delegates, bad come at their own expense. She could not say how sorry she was that the events of the past few months should have been such a« to cause anxiety and distress to many members. She thought that she could fairly claim to have the welfare of the' society as much at heart as anyone, and.it had-hurt her grievously to see its continuance' threatened by dissension in ii\e ranks and by the damaging effect of ; publio. controversy. It was her earnest lippe that the proceedings would have the-effect of promoting ■• that unity of purpose asd personal harmony without whi£h : tjje society cduld not hope to achieve ,the ideals of the founder for which the '■ society stood. ' The council had decided that a statement be made of the reasons which had led to its asking for- the resignation of the director of Plunket nursing tendered by Miss Pattrick on December 2, and accepted by the executive on behalf of the council. "Out of consideration for the state of my health, which, 1 am sorry to say, •has been affected by worry over this very matter," said the president, " the council has decided that instead of the whole burden being thrown'upon me I should be supported by several other speakers. 1 would ask all present, to listen without interruption to the statement in its entirety before asking questions or bringing forward criticism." . > The president appealed to all present not to allow bias: or personal feeling to sway them during the conference. .She felt that it was going to be difficult for everybody. She was well aware that many delegates were attending because they felt that an injustice had been done to Miss Pattrick, and: to them she would say: " Please keep an open mind until the statement hae been made." She appealed to all, whatever their personal feelings might be, to think of what was best for the'society as a whole.

PRESENCE OF MISS PATTRICK Mr C. R. Fell (Nelson) said that before the statements were put before the meeting he would like to ask that Miss Pattrick be invited by the meeting to be present when the statements were made.—(Applause.) He did not know whether Miss Pattrick was in the room or not, but he thought that it was only fair that she should be invited to hear the statements, and he took'it that,at a later stage the meeting would hear a reply from her.—(Applause.) If necessary he was prepared to move —"That this meeting asks Miss Pattrick to be present at the portion of the meeting dealing with statements in reference to her retirement, and that she be given an opportunity of replying to those statements.' The president said that Miss Pattrick had been advised that she could be present at the conference and take part m it. It had been understood that she was to be present. ■ " ,■■■'' Mr Eell stated that what the president had said did not affect the proposal. If Miss Pattrick wa s not present she was acting rightly in not attendine unless she was invited by the meeting. He thought that everyone would agree that if s. ements were to b 8 which might have a bearing on her conuuet she should be present. ■ •_,-. The motion was seconded by Mrs Inpp (Geraldine) and carried unanimous>, the conference being adjourned until Miss Pattrick arrived. In the interval Mr Peter Barr outlined the measures that had been taken to ensure that voting should be correctly carried out. The question whether ballots should be secret was discussed, Mr Walter Nash, M.P. (Lower Hntt) claiming that f-very-one should know how the other delegates voted- Ther e was, he added, nothing to hide.—(Applanse.) . It was unanimously decided that the voting should not be secret. '< When Miss. Pattrick arrived she was greeted with a burst of applause. TIME; LIMIT FOR SPEAKERS Mr. H." Tayior (Wellington) proposed that the' time allowed to the speakers should: be limited, but Mr Nash urged that there should be no limit to the time allowed to the council for the presentation of its case because there had been so many misstatements and so much misrepresentation. An assurance was given that the statements! on behalf of the council would not be lengthy, and Mr Taylor thereupon withdrew his motion. MINISTER'S VIEWS The Minister of Health (Mr J A. Young) was the first speaker on behalf ol the council. He stated that the outcome of the conference might have farreaching effects so far as the future of the society was concerned, and he wished to emphasise the necessity for a broad outlook in dealing with the matter before it. He believed that the time vas ripe for an overhaul of the rules—(applause) —and he hoped that before the conference ended a committee would be set up to go into the matter. He urged delegates to remember the purposes for which the society had been founded and dealt "dth its success in reducing the rate of infantile mortality. Two-tbirds of the funds of the society consisted of voluntary fontributions and the remaining one-third consisted of Government subsidies. The sum \-oted by Parliament amounted to £20.000, and had reached as much as £25.000 in one year. Ho had always stood out against attempts to reduce the amount. They should ensure that nothing arising out of the conference - should destroy the good work that was being done. If it were destroyed the activities of the society .would be carried out through other agencieafc ~ No Government could allow

the work to suffer in consequence of dis* itiption in the society. A sum of £20,000 would go a long way in the hands of the Health Department and the hospital boards. He had an intimate knowledge of the facts leading up ty> the matter now before the conference and he desired to declare his complete confidence in the council. When the facts that had been before it were known, he thought, delegates would not fail to admit that the council could not have acted otherwise.

"The action of the council," the Minister added, "centres on the recognition of a fundamental principle in good government of all associations—that is, that the servants of the organisation shall adapt themselves to the responsible executive entrusted with the government of the society for the time being. To expect the executive of a corporate body to adapt itself to the dictates of its paid officers is unthinkable, and would inevitably lea 1 to chaos.

" What is required is clear thinking,' continued Mr Young, " and the adoption of a broad outlook in "dealing with the problems incidental to this conference and the welfare of the society. I appeal to all to exercise forbearance towards each other, and with dignity ever to remember that as members we are charged with a sacred duty to do nothing which will destroy the continuity of that humanitarian work for mothers and babies as laid down by Sir Truby King, the great founder of this society."—(Applause.) TREATMENT OF MISS PATTRICK Mrs M. Cracroft-Wilson (Christ church) said that she thought she mieht claim to be a very old officer of the society, as she had been a member of the Christchurch Committee in 1908, and since then her interest in the society had been continuous, aB she realised what Sir Truby King was doing for the children of New Zealand, and that the rest of the world was looking to New Zealand in this matter. It would be an absolute disgrace tf anything happened to the Plunket Society. Reference had been made to the fact that the . former director of Plunket nursing had been unfairly treated by the council of the society. She desired to give some facts concerning the treatment of the director during a period of years, and she thought they would consider that the treatment had been generous. She said that she could do no better than to read the statement which had been made by their late president, Mrs Johnstone, when addressing a meeting of the Central Council at Wellington in November, 1930: "We have this evening a number of important matters which require' the consideration of the whole council, and I think we should deal first with one which has occasioned me, as president, a very great deal of anxiety. I refer to the future carrying on of the office of the director of Plunket nursing. Mies Pattrick has conveyed to Mrs M'George and myself the fact that she will not be able to carry on her work as hitherto. Although she says she has had no treatment beyond freedom from work and responsibility since January last, her medical advisers have given fter no assurance that there will be no recurrence of her illness, and that to follow their advice she must be relieved of a considerable part of her work, and must at no time be eubjected to exposure to cold. As everyone knows, this would be impossible if shells to.continue work which necessitates travelling in all parts of New Zealand at all seasons of the year. She states that it might be necessary to take a lesser position. . . • "In order that the council may understand thoroughly the position in regard to Miss Pattrick's health and also the consideration she hae received from the society, it is necessary to go back to 1925. In January of that year Miss Pattrick was granted six months' leave of absence on full pay in order that she might take midwifery training, Miss Kearns being Engaged to relieve her at the Dunedin office! At the end of this training- Miss Pattrick's health was *o impaired 'that she was -granted three months' leafre, also pn full pay, which necessitated Miss Kearns being further . retained at the Dunedm office, in the conduct of the late director ot Plunket nursing. The council prefers to tell you that it ha ß acted throughout in what it believed to be the best interests of the society, and that it was vital to those interests for the director to resign. It believes that to defend itself by minute investigation of Miss Pattrick s conduct would be painful to her and undignified for the society. It prefers to leave this meeting, after a presentation of its attitude, to say whether or not it still retains the confidence of the society. i "If will be pointed out : to you by the following speakers that the constitution of the society provides for a democratic control of the affairs of the society by a duly elected council. .During its term of office the council has the responsibility and the burden of taking action. It has taken it, and to question it involves, in the opinion of the council, a' straightout vote of no confidence in it. If you are prepared to pass that vote, the council will resign immediately, and a fresh council will no doubt .take its place. " You have a fateful decision in' your hands, of far more importance than the fate of any one servant of the society. It is for you to make it and give it."— (Apnlause.^

APPEAL • FOR FAIR/ JUDGMENT Mrs J. A. Hanan (Dunedin) made it clear that she was not a member of the council but was speaking an a .member of the society. She stated that in spite of differences of opinion the. society was not going to die because it was a living movement. Her task was to make a few observations dealing, with the powers of the Central Council.'., After reading the rules she stated that the council, it would be seen, had received a mandate from thp society as'a whole to carry out its business. It had been said that the council was not sympathetic towards the nurses. That was unjustified, but in such circumstances as had arisen rumours were frequent, and they gained in circulation It behoved delegates to look at the position fairly and squarely. Who would believe that the council would act in such a way as to disrupt the work of the society? Kiere were times when the council had to be a restraining force, and it did not take much to create a great ileal of gossip. Delegates should realise that the council represented New Zealand, ind it behoved them to stand by it. She appealed for a fair hearing and fair judgment. DIRECTOR'S RESIGNATION Mrs Cecil Wood (Christchurch) said that it bad been suggested through the newspapers that the council's treatment of Miss Pattrick had been unduly harsh. Actually, the council had done its utmost to be kind to Miss Pattrick, and had adopted certain methods in approaching this difficult ant unhappy matter." A committtee had waited upon Mr Justice Blair and had asked him in the kindest way to convey the decision of the council to Miss Pattrick. His Honor had stated that he would see Miss Pattrick'e and ask him to convey to her the council's decision. The conditions of her resignation were to be that she was to receive six months' full pay and superannuation at the end of that time at the same rate as 'if she had reached the retiring age. After four weeks had elapsed without any advice from Miss Pattrick or her brother, the secretary had been instructed to send to Miss Pattrick a letter embodying the decisions of the council. It had been sent only after gentler and kindlier methods had been trie! and had failed. The speaker a-=ked the delegates to give the council the crrdit of trying to spare the feelings of Miss Pattrick as much as possible. BOARD SUPPORTS COUNCIL Mr P. L. Halsted. a member of the Advisory Board, claimed that the position between the council and Miss Pattrick was the same as that between a directorate and an employee. References had been made, he added, to the pledge of the council to secrecy. Surely this had been the correct procedure in order to ensure that the first intimation of the council's decision to ask >for Mis s Pattrick's resignation should come from it, and not from an outside source. Another point of which much had been made was that Miss 1 attrick had not been given an opportunity of defending herself at -the council meeting from the charges made against her by the executive. Surely nothing more unreasonable could have been suggested. Was the council to be put on its trial before Miss Pattrick to answer countercharges that she might make to justify her own actions? Such a course of action to his mind was unthinkable The Advisory Board, with a full knowledge of the circumstances, approved of the action taken, and supported the members of the council. Therefore, if a motion condemning the members of the council was passed such a motion must be taken as condemning the Advisory Board. On Miss^Pattrick's return in November, 1925, it was considered essential for her to have the assistance of Miss Kearns

until March, when Miss Hooper was appointed to assist Miss Pattrick. In December, 1926, she was granted an extended holiday, during which time she travelled through New Zealand with Miss Liddiard, matron of the Mothercraft Training Centre, London, who was on a holiday visit to New Zealand. At the end of the year, 1927, Miss Pattrick went into hospital in Dunedin. This necessitated her being off duty at least a month. Between that time and 1928 she was again under treatment by doctors and dentists. At this time Miss Pattrick applied for and was granted -a year's leave of 'absence to go overseas, but on account of the uncertain state of her health her departure was delayed. Towards the end of October, 1928, when Miss Pattrick was in the north, she wa s again ill. After this, she was granted three months' leave or longer if considered necessary. She did not, however, immediately avail herself of this extended leave, but returned to Dunedin for a few weeks in November, and took practically three monJis' leave from Christmas, 1928, until about the middle of March. 1929, and decided to go overseas in June, 1929, all the foregoing leave being granted on • full pay. At the first meeting of the Central Council in Wei lington after her departure for England she was granted an allowance of £250 during the 12 months' leave, this being the society'6 share of her salary, as no application for the Government grant of the same amount could be made in the circumstances. In April, 1930. she applied for and was granted a further extention of leave, and returned to duty on October 22. I micht say that while Miss Pattrick was in Canada at a nurses conference in Toronto she again worked strenuously, and then had a recurrence of illness, and was compelled to take an enforced rest.

"No one realises and appreciates more than I do the work she has done in the past, bub I realise that in the circumstances, in the best interests of Miss Pattrick's health, and in the interests of the work of the society, the whole matter is one which must receive the serious consideration of the whole Central Council in relation to the future carrying on of the work of the directoi of Plunket nursing. The position is made increasingly difficult owing to the fact that Sir Truby's own health is not good, and is occasioning us considerable concern. Sir Truby himself realises that it will be necessaiy for him to take much mpre rest if he is to be able to give to the society's work that which he and we all desire he should give. It must, therefore, be obvious to all'of us that to relieve Sir Truby, as he must be relieved, it would be very difficult indeed to lighten in any way the duties devolving upon the director of Plunket nursing. Mrs Cracroft-Wilson said that they would see from the above the consideration given to Miss Pattrick in the past, could anyone say that that consideration had not been generous? Was it likely that the council of the society would have meted out to Miss Pattrick less generous treatment from the date of. the meeting in 1930 unless it had some very good reason for reaching the conclusion that the time had come to stop it? When the council came to the decision it did it was the first council elected to represent New Zealand. It then met in Wellington, only three members being absent. It considered the matter carefully, and it came to the conclusion that it was?in the best interests of the society that Miss Pattrick should be asked to put in her resignation. All the members of the council voted with the honest, conviction that they represented New Zealand, and if those branches and sub-branches now condemned the council for what it had done there wus nothing left but that the council should resign. Those responsible for the administration in Dunedin did a tremendous amount of work with skill, and it would be difficult to replace them. COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE Mrs Harding (Dargaville) said that she wished to place before the council the attitude which the council had decided to adopt. The society was in its infancy as a democracy. It had had a benevolent dictator whose judgment had been unswerving and unanswerable. Now he was gone, and the society was stumbling in taking its first steps under a new constitution. It had been awkward for the council to face such a crucial decision at its first meeting. The position laid before it had clearly shown that over a number of years the harmony and proper working of the executive of the council had been hampered and its efficiency impaired by the conditions existing between the director and the executive. The speaker desired to make absolutely clear the position which the council intended to take up at the conference. "We have no intention of making any charges whatever against Miss Pattrick," said Mrs Harding. "Equally we deprecate discussing singly or in detail the acts or omissions on her part which led the ..council, to its decision to part from her. It is sufficient to say that this action on the part of the council was not a sudden resolution, but the culminatibn of successive incidents spread over a period of years which eventually convinced the council that whatever Miss Pattrick's capabilitieg and virtues were it had become impossible for the council to work in harmony with her or for her to work in harmony with the council. "So she was requested to resign. The council took measures to see that that resignation was effected with as little pain to her as was possible. These measures unfortunately failed, but it none the less remains true that Miss Pattrick, in 'compliance with the request of the council, resigned and her resignation was accepted and is effective. She has not made even an attempt to withdraw it. "The council, then, according to the attitude of the branches which have requisitioned. tllis conference, stands upon its trial, not only before this conference, but before the supporters of the society throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion.

" It, is not proposed to indulge in any vindictive recapitulation of the mistakes Mr Peter Barr said that the Advisory Board had no authority, and claimed no authority, in connection with the society. It consisted of a number of men who had been on the board for a great number of years. They were there in a puiely advisory capacity .and acted only when asked by the council or members of the council for advice. The council occupied a very serious position of responsibility. The society's main, business was to take care of the babies and the mothers, and in the course of years it 'had developed into a very large business, and that necessitated organisation. There were 70 branches, 12 nurses, and 126 Pluuket jpurses, and the duties of the council also comprised the purchase anil sale of properties, the erection, staffing and furnishing of buildings and their upkeep, renovation, and supervision. The council was there, to direct and to deal with such questions as superannuation and points arising from Government regulations and Acts, and it had to exercise discipline and control a very large staff. The executive only carried out the decisions of the council. It had not been nice going through the North Island and hearing it said that the Dunedin people had not treated Miss Pattrick properly. It was not the Dunedin people who were concerned, but the action was taken by the council, which' was appointed from all over New Zealand, and that council had come to a practically unanimous decision. He had been for about 30 vears secretary for some fairly large organisations, and during that time lip had been in close touch with .the Plunket Society, the late Mrs Johnstone, and the latp Mrs Theomin, and two finer and ab'er women never existed.— (Applause.) Tn his knowledge Mrs Johnstonn enmp to a definite decision and had intimated that before her illiess, that decision being in accordance with what had been done.

SIR WILLIAM HUNT'S VIEWS Sir William Hunt (Wellington), said that he had been a member of the Advisory Board for a number of years in Wellington. He had been very closely associated with Mrs Johnstone, who, with Mr Johnstone, had been in the habit of coming every second month to Wellington. When in Dunedin he used to stay at Mr Johnstone's house, and he had had many lone conferences with Mrs Johnstone on Plunket work. For some years past Mrs Johnstone had been ereatly distressed at the difference that had arisen between the council and Miss Pattriek. The last occasion on which he had conferred with Mrs Johnstone on this matter was on April 30 Inst wnon she had nslcd him to have a talk about Plunket work and particularly th•• difference between the council and Miss Pattrick. Mrs M'fie"rcre was also asked to be present and do the ta'king. Mrs Johnstone prompting her when occasion demanded her health not permitting a sustained conversation. Mrs Johnstone made it clear that she had a great respect for Miss Pattrick, but Miss Pattrick did not keep the council informed of what she was doing and did things without the authority of the council. She., came to

the conclusion that Miss Pattnck thought that there should be nurse control und not council control. Mrs Johnstone waa consumed with a great anxiety to do what was right and to do it in such a' way that Miss Pattriek would not be hurt in pocket or in reputation. With regard to the conversations he had had with Mr Pattriek, he would like to say that he had been a close persona! friend of Mr Pattriek for many years, and he hoped that what he was going to *.ay would not be taken in any personal w y. About a year ago Mr Pattriek, in company with. Mr Spratt, a Wellington solicitor, came to see him with regard to the dispute, and he had said that he knew from his conversations with Mrs Johnstone that Miss Pattriek had lost the confidence of the council, and that created an impossible position that could not con. tinue. It was not the council's business to get on* with its director, but Miss Pattrick's business to get on with the council—(applause)—and she would have to do one of two things—go round to the council and restore that confidence, or resign. He did not press that advice on them. They had come round to ask him for his opinion. He could quite understand Miss Pattrick's action, which was partly the result of her training. Sir Truby King knew no law at all and went his own way. His opinion of Sir Truby was that he was the greatest New Zealander they had produced, and if he had not been the ruthless breaker of rules that he was the society would not have been in the position it was in to-day. Mi6S Pattriek was his assistant till five years ago, when Sir Truby disappeared from the scene, going to Sydney, and the council had to do without him. He could therefore quite understand Miss Pattrick's point ot view. Mr Justice Blair had been brought into this, and he had been quoted in the correspondence. For a good many years he had been Sir Truby King's closest adviser, and Mr Justice Blair.had shown the speaker correspondence on the matter, which he invited him (Sir William) to use in any way he liked. Sir William produced this correspondence, which he read to the meeting. He then went on to say that a great many regrettable things had been said. What were they gohvi to do about it: They could not brush out the past. They had either to. pass a vote of confidence in the council or a vote of want of confidence. If they passed a vote of confidence and Btill wanted things altered there was a constitutional way of doing it. If they wanted the head office ot the society moved they could do it in a constitutional way. .If they passed a vote of no confidence they had to appoint a brand-new council, and they had to adopt three fundamental rules. Ine first was that the council must be supreme, the second that the officers ot the council must get on with the council and not that the council must get on witn the officers, and the third was that when the new council appointed an executive officer no person by. reason of services had any claim on the position, but tne council had a claim on the best person available. "If you don't stick to those rules," concluded Sir William, "this society will go out as surely as other societies have done that have not stuck to those rules." CONFIDENCE IN COUNCIL Mr P. R. Sargood,' a member of. the Advisory Board, said that it was very sad to find that a certain amount of .disharmony had grown up in the society. Was there any suggestion of mal fides- on behalf of the council? He took it that there was not. Was there any suggestion of inefficiency on the part of the council?—(Voices: Yes.) If he understood the position correctly the society, through constitutional methods, had elected a council to manage its affairs, and the council had elected an executive. Some disagreement had arisen between the executive and a paid servant, and the council had become the adjudicator between the' parties. It had upheld the view taken by the executive, one party had resigned, and that had been accepted. As a business man he asked, what more could be said? The whole circle had been gone round constitutionally and effectively. He could not conceive that the council had acted hurriedly. Memberß had elected a council and pledged themselves to support it. If the councilwere robbed of independent action its initiative would be killed and internal discipline and the work of the society would be destroyed. If there wa» a want of confidence between directors and their servant the sooner a separation took plane the better. Was it desired, Mr Sargood asked, to remove the centre of control from its present -position? Voices: No. " We have a council constitutionally appointed to do our work," Mr Sargood added. "Are we going to allow it to do its work or are we not? Don't/ let ua hide behind some internal disagreement. Unless we treat the matter as a broad issue the society will disappear. AN OUTSPOKEN STATEMENT "You all know that Dunedin holds the high honour of being the birthplace of Sir Truby King's great Plunket work, and so its women have the longest tradition of service in the cause, said Miss Nina Reid (Dunedin). "I confess to feeling the greatest sadness that the successors of those pioneer wom'en should stand here to-day on defence against a charge of having dealt heartlessly with the society's chief salaried officer. We of the Council's Executive did not desire this conference. At the same time .we do not fear it because all that we have done has been done according to rule and precept as laid down by our constitution, and we believe that we will emerge from this inquiry with clean hands. The executive, in calling for the resignation of the director of Plunket nursing, only carried out the policy which the Dominion Council, in all sincerity of purpose and after careful consideration,, deemed to be in the best interests of the cause. This it endeavoured to do in as considerate a manner as possible, and in this connection the executive has been wronged—greviously' wronged—and that in the house of its friends. It has been subjected to a back-stabbing newspaper propaganda of half-truths and anonymous correspondence. Some of these correspondents, owing to their being ill-informed, wrote nonsense, but some showed an inside knowledge that proclaimed them traitors within our ranks. Remaining loyal to Sir Truby Kings strict admonition that at all times we should endeavour to keep our domestic troubles out of the newspapers (an admonition entirely forgotten by the Wellington branch), the executive sat silent under these unfair misrepresentations until at length it was considered wise to publish a staiement. That statement, I think, all fair-minded readers •.mild consider a restrained one.

" I ask you to believe me when I say that the members of the executive have no bitterness or rancour towards Miss Pattriek herself. As a nurse and matron of the Karitaric-Harris Hospital she was a good and loyal officer, beloved by the mothers and nurses under her charge, and our relations with her then were of the Irindliest. As director of plunket nursing her association with the executive has not been so happy. We have been accused of acting high-handedly and of arrogantly and summarily dismissing the director of Plunket nursing at the whim of a moment. Nothing could be further from the truth. as a perusal of our. statement shows. Our accusers also condemn us for the manner in which the council's resolution was conveyed. It is easy to be wise after the event, but I doubt if they themselves could have devised a more humane method. " As it is evidently the desire of some of the branches that our domestic affairs shall now be paraded in public, I may say that since 1930 things have not been well between the Central Council and the director of Plunket nursing, and there has been much friction. Having the privilege of direct contact and intercourse with the branch committees and nurses, any person .holding the office of director of Plunket nursing can do much to foster a good feeling towards the governing, body. In fact, it is her duty to do so in the interests of that co-operation of all departments that is essential to the smooth ! running of our machinery. On the other hand, she is exposed to the dangerous temptation of appearing not only as the director, but as the sole arbiter on all ! matters pertaining to the Plunket nurses. ! The idea may be consciously or uncon- ' sciously conveyed that she and they are 1 the Plunket Society, and that the council 1 and its executive are of very minor im portance indeed. If an atmosphere suc.i as this should be created, I think you will a«ree that the connection would be bettei broken because the constant friction ami , pin-prickings arising therefrom are like ' trains of sand which, thrown into the bearings of an engine, ultimately throw the whole machinery out of gear. I earnestly assure you that it was the sincere desire of the council and its executive that Miss Pattrick should relinquish office carrying with her the love and esteem of the society's nurses and the regard of the branches and the public generally. We

tried to treat her generously and to be considerate in our manner of conveying the council's decision to her, and also we tried to keep our domestic troubles from public controversy. However, Miss- Pattrick's advisers have seen fit to force the situation into promineru-e and so we are called together in this, the saddest meeting that has ever been held in regard to Plunket affairs. Having read and heard much of the work of the salaried officers, now let us touch on the work of the unsalaried officers of 'he society, and in this connection' I will confine my remarks to the past and present members of the executive, as that is the body that has been most severely struck at. First, "what of Lady King? When we think of her and Sir Truby and how they gave their lives and means to establish this work I am sure there is not one right-minded person in this room but must grieve over the agitation that has brought us here to-day, an agitation which would appear almost to glory in the temporary disruption of that great work. What of Mrs Carr, Mrs Theomin, Mrs Johnstone, all unpaid servants who died in harness after establishing a fine tradition which we must try to uphold? I use the word 'servants ' advisedly for it conveys the idea of service more than the word ' (ffi-:er.' All these women might have lived a life of ease and pleasure, but they realised that it is not what one gets out of life that counts but what one puts into it. And now we come to the unsalaried servants of to-day, the*members of the Dominion Council and its executive, with Mrs Joseph M'Geo'rge in the president's chair. Have we no claim to the right to be mistress in our own home? If discipline be necessary for the smooth running of the work of the society have we not the right to administer it, after due and careful consideration has been given to.tTie matter in hand? T say that as servants of the Dominion Council it is our duty to do so. albeit to administer it as mercifully as we can, even if it be in the face of threats to unseat the executive if that discipline be administered. Tf any good can eventuate from this enforced conference the feeling of distrust that has arisen towards the council and its executive must be dispersed. We must sink our differences and draw together in a common cause, bearing and forbearing with one another. We must see that a situation such as the present does not arise atrain. We must go away from here with _ the determination that in all humility of snirit each in the station *o which she has been appointed will earnestly try to carry out the founder's ex. hortation 'to help the mothers and save the babies' and let that and that alone be our inspiration to service whether paid or unpaid. I urse you to take solemn council of your better natures before lightly putting your hand to such a serious dislocation of our work as you will cause by unseating the present governing body." The president indicated that this was all that the council wished to say on the matter.

Mr Fell then moved: "That this conference gives Miss Pattriek an opportunity of now replying to anything to which she desires to reply." . The motion was carried.. MISS PATTRICK'S REPLY

Miss Pattriek, who, on rising to reply, was greeted with applause, stated that she wished to thank the delegates for inviting her to the conference and for the opportunity of making a statement in reply. First, she wanted to say that throughout her 17 years' service her primary and fundamental concern had always been the well-being of the society. Secondly, although she did not ever receive any specific definition of her duties as director of Plunket nursing until August or September, 1932, she had always regarded herself as beins. responsible to the council, for the efficiency of the nursiiig service,/ and she could' confidently claim that she had never considered it to be part of her duty or her responsibility to take part in the purely administrative side of the work. She had had ample to' keep her fully occupied in attending to nursing matters. "I utterly repudiate any suggestion of ' disloyalty' or ' undermining and -pulling against the executive,'" she added. "The mere suggestion that I have been guilty of such conduct has been a matter of great sorrow to me. If any of the delegates wish for information on any specific matter within my knowledge I shall be only too happy to say what I can, with the aid of any records which may be made available to me."

Miss Pattrick 6aid that she wished to refer to two letters written by herself, the first one being dated July, 1932, and addressed to the then president of the council, and the second dated January 3, 1934, and addressed to the acting president of the Wellington branch. The first letter to which Misb Pattrick referred was addressed to Mrs Johnstone and stated that the writer since her return to New Zealand in October, 1930, had felt that she lacked the sympathetic confidence of • Mrs Johnstone and Mrs M'Geofge, which she had been given previously, She asked for a frank statement of any reason for the change. It had been suggested that perhapß she had assumed more responsibility than it had been intended should be attached to her position. If that were so she wished to point out that her duties had never been defined. She asked for a specific definition of her duties and also made a number of suggestions for. the consideration of the council. In the second letter which Miss Pattrick read she outlined to Mrs Bullock (acting president .of the. Wellington branch) the facts / which she believed to have led up to the present situation. She had become convinced, she stated, that practically all the difficulties had emanated from the lack of adequate facilities for professional representation on the governing body of. the society. She described events leading up to the writing of the first letter mentioned and added: — " I received no written acknowledgment of this letter, but some time later when in Dunedin the then president of the council and Mrs M'George sent for me in regard to the ' statement' I had made. On this occasion they told me in effect that they had nothing to say in regard to the personal side of the matter and that at the last council meeting held in Wellington (about August. 1932) my recommendation for an Advisory Nursing Committee had not been\approved; also thev cave me a brief outline of the duties and responsibilities of the director of Plunket nursing; but the other recommendations were virtually ignored. This was the fjrst written definition of my duties and responsibilities which I had ever received notwithstanding the fact that I had especially requested such in 1930. The definition given seemed to coincide with the work I had been doing. During this interview' I several times begged them to tell me whether there was anything I could do to improve the situation and assured them of my desire to do my utmost in this matter. Unfortunately the interview ended there, and thus the real purpose I had hoped that the letter would achieve failed.

" The matter, therefore, had to rest there, and subsequently it became increasingly evident that I was sometimes desired to concur in decisions already made by tht executive in regard to affairs vitally affecting the Plunket Nursing Service, but rarely to discuss, weigh pros and cons, or advise; also, when requested to attend meetings, I seldom received notice of the matters tori be discussed or decided at such meetings. Of course, this meant that one could not be adequately prepared to give considered replies to questions arising. At no stage have I been able to arrive at a clear understand ing of the reasons for the changed attitude of the executive of council. On various occasions personal inclination would have led me to resign, but careful consideration of all sides of the situation always brought me to the conclusion that that was not the proper course to follow. The final circumstances in which my resignation was requested are, I believe, known to you, as I understand that the executive's letter of November 30 last is in your hands. Immediately I received the executive's letter stating that at a meeting of the council, held in Wellington 'it was unanimously agreed after full consideration that my retirement was in the best interests of the society, it appeared to me that there was but one course to take, and I accordingly sent in my resignation. In conclusion, I can but emphatically reaffirm that I am entirely unaware of any good reason for the coun cil's conclusion that my resignation would be in the best interests of the work of the society. As for the extraordinary manner in which I was required to leave—practically at a moments notice—and refused an opportunity to hand over to a successor, I can only say that this is absolutely inexplicable, and, in my opinion, must have been detrimental to the work. Surely such treatment is only that meted out to those who have committed some grave impropriety. You will, therefore, realise how deeply I appreciate the steps that, are being taken to have the whole matter thoroughly investigated, patfticu-

larly as I am confident that this course is necessary not only for my own sake, but also for the ultimate good of the society." ANSWER TO COUNCIL. Continuing her statement Miss Pattriuk stated that she wished to refer very briefly to a few points in the statement by the council and its Advisory Board, which had been issued to the presidents of the branches and published in the newspapers throughout the Dominion last month. In the first place, the council stated "in all technical matters her advice has been accepted and If she might assume that the word ' technical " had been used to mean " appertaining to the profession," she ventured to state that her recommendations and advice on many points relating to Plunket nursing matters had not been " accepted and carried out." Three of what she regarded as important examples of this were:—

The recommendations for the establishment of a small professional advisory committee to deal with nursing matters had not been " accepted and carried out." Her recommendations in regard to certain important nursing appointments in the Plunket nursing service had not been " accepted and carried out." Her advice that there should be more intensive supervision of the nursing work by means of more frequent visits to the branches,. had not been "accepted and carried out."

Secondly, with regard to the council's statement that "as a salaried officer nhe was accountable to and subject to the direction of the society and its executive," obviously every officer must be subject to the general direction of the governing body, and she had never failed to appreciate and realise this fact. "The question arises," Miss Pattriek added, " does the council want the benefit of that officer's professional knowledge, experience, and judgment in matters nertaining to the nursing work, or does it simply want unquestioning acquiescence in decisions already arrived at by the executive irrespective of whether the director of nursing has had an opportunity of submitting her views on the matter? Surely any responsible professional officer must be allowed, if not encouraged, to exercise judgment and initiative in endeavouring to contribute to the development and progress of the work. Thirdly, with regard to the question of ' loyalty.' I feel that the branches, aa a whole, throughout New Zealand must know that I have been loyal to the council and the whole work of the society. The inference that I have not been 'obedient' is ridiculous. Of course, obedience is a very general term, and is open to wide differences of interpretation when a nonprofessional body is dealing with professional matters."

In reply to the statement of Mrs Cra-croft-Wilson Misa Pattrick stated that since her return to New Zealand in October, 1930, she had not been off duty for a single day on account of ill-health, and had actually been off duty for only two periods of 15 davs during the whole of that time. " It has always been my endeavour to maintain a high standard of efficiency within the Plunket nursing service, and to strive to keep it abreast of the times." she added. "That has, of course, meant that from time to time changes have been indicated, but such changes are difficult to bring about when the, service is controlled by an executive on which there is not adequate nursing representation. Whilst Sir Truby King, the founder and guiding genius of the whole' work, was actively engaged in the medical direction, this continuous development and progress was assured. During the last three years, however, I have been troubled to feel that there has been a tendency to limit progressive thought, to be content with past or present standards, and to'regard, with something akin to distrust, any reference to revision or change of methods. Now that I can review in better perspective the whole sequence of events, it seems to me that I may be open to criticism for continuing in a situation in which the principles for which I stood were Joshing instead of gaining ground. It would now?? appear that when, on returning to New Zealand in 1930, I sensed a decidedly changed attitude of the council executive, I should then and there have pursued my request for a clear definition of my position and have formally endeavoured to obtain an explanation of the obviously altering policy. I think, too, that I should have stood out more firmly over matters relating to the professionarside of the work, such as leave, confidential correspondence, and so on; also, that I should have requested a written categorical' answer to my letter sent to the president of the council in July, 1932. Although I have naturally emphasised the nursing side of the work, no one appreciates more than I do the valuable work of the committees. 1 could not pay a sufficiently high tribute to the wonderful work done by the voluntary workers throughout the country, with so many of whom I have had most helpful and stimulating association over the year 6 and without whom the nursing service could not function at all.' finally, I have never for one moment doubted or disputed the authority of any employer to dispense with the services of any employee. That authority is unquestionable, whether based on ■ just or unjust grounds. But I do feel very strongly that the method adopted to dispense witn my services was only of the kind that should be resorted to when an employee has committed.some grave act of impropriety: also that it could not have been in the best interests of the Plunket nursing work throughout New Zealand for me to be required to cease my work at less than two days' notice and be denied tne opportunity of handing over to a successor ." (Applause.) DIRECTOR SUPPORTED Mrs Parkes (Auckland) claimed that it had been the desire of. Sir Truby King that Miss Pattrick should be responsible for carrying on the nursing work, bne added that Miss Pattrick should have had an opportunity of saying why she had done certain things. There was no justification whatever for treating her as it she had been guilty of some flagrant fault. In what respects had she disobeyed the council? In what respects had she been disloyal? Miss Pattrick was entitled to precise information on these points. Did members now know the nature of her alleged misdeeds? She could not possibly be treated as a paid servant. The speaker would like to place on record her faith in Miss Pattrick's complete loyalty to the society. , . ... Mr W. Nash, M.P., criticised the attitude of the council and board in threatening to resign if it'were not supported, " You cannot get justice in that way, he added He claimed that, although -the council had .decided that it; would be in the best interests of the society for Miss Pattrick to resign, it had never met to decide that she should actually be called upon to resign. j'*i.,* Mrs Fletcher (Maeterton) stated thit delegates were no wiser than when tbey came to Dunedin. . Mr J M. Paterson replied that the council did not wish delegates to believe that the evidence had been deliberately held back, but to hear and consider the evidence would take three or four days. Mr Whyte (Palmerston North) stated that the delegates did not come to the conference to be treated like children. They had come to hear the charges and decide whether they were right or wrong. Mr Taylor agreed that it might take days or even weeks to hear the charges, but charges of disloyalty, disobedience, intrigue, and pulling against the council had been made and had flooded the country. The charges should be stated so that the world would know the truth. Mrs Hector Smith (Napier) asked whether Mr Pattrick had ever conveyed Mr Justice Blair's message to his sister. Mr Pattrick replied that he had conveyed the message to his sister but had advised her that she should not resign. He had been waiting-for a further conversation with Mr Justice Blair because he had considered that reasons should be (riven. Dr T. F. Corkhill (Wellington) s-n.d that the trouble had been largely Jue to the fact that Miss Pattrick had bo3(J debarred from attending the meetings of the council. "A MIDDLE COURSE" Upon the resumption of the conference in the evening, Mr Fell said that they did not want to do anything harmful to the society in its future career. A lot had been said that day that he could controvert, but he did not want to do that because most of those who were present were acting in the interests of the societv. The one point that had not been amplified as fully as it might have been was the technical work of the society. For many years it was in the hands of Sir Truby King, and, <vhen he was no longer able to continue, it was in the hands of the director of Plunket nursing. The life blood of the society depended on the nurses, and, that being so, it behoved the society and the council to deal generously with the technical side.

He thought that it was perfectly apparent that there could be no complete acceptance of the views of either side in this matter. It was apparent that no resolution of straight-out confidence or want of confidence would be carried to the satisfaction of all branches. Unless both sides approached the matter in a spirit of compromise the result would be unfortunate. (Applause.) He thought it was necessary that they should find some middle course, one that would satisfy the council, the members of the Advisory Board, and the members of the branches. They had heard a great deal that day about the giants of the past, and they would be proving themselves worthy successors to the founders if they would accept a reasonable middle course. He thought there was an urgent need for re-casting the rules of the constitution. They started under the rule of a beneficent autocrat, but no method had been tound by which the rule of an autocrat could be continued when he had died or gone away.

The Minister of Health said that he had been greatly impressed by what he had heard that day, and he was going to move a resolution that would, he believed, solve the problem. Whatever they did they must work together for the good of the society. He had been watching the proceedings closely in an endeavour to discover the mind of the conference, and had prepared a resolution which he thought would meet the wishes of the conference.

Mr Young then read out the resolution, which, after some discussion that was productive of an alteration to the fourth clause, was carried unanimously. The resolution was as follows:

1. That the loyalty of Miss Pattrick to the society is unquestioned. . 2. That her professional capacity is recognised and unquestioned. 3. That the council expresses its regret, if, contrary to its intention, the manner of asking for her resignation caused her pain.

4. That she be asked to continue her work, to give to her successor the benefit of her experience, during the next six months, and that the financial terms already agreed upon apply at the end of six months!

5. That all matters affecting the rules and administration of the society be considered as a special subject for remits at the next conference in Wellington. Mr Nash said that if the motion weie carried, instead of this being one of the most dangerous conferences in the society's progress it would be one of the finest. Mr A. C. Cameron said that aa a member of the Advisory Board he was prepared to pull in with the motion, but not if it included any suggestion to reinstate Miss Pattrick.—(Cries of "Oh.") "That is unthinkable after all thia controversy," continued Mr Cameron, "and I will not vote for it, and I think I am voicing the opinion of a good many here/' —(Cries of "No") Mr J. B. Callan said that he had come to the conference with an open mind, not knowing anything of the. circumstances, but he'could not believe, after all that fuse, when they were so near settling matters, that Mr Cameron had really voiced the views of the council. Of course, Miss Pattrick was being reinstated—(Applause.) Once the council had admitted that was a fair way out of the difficulty any quibbling savoured of a lack of generosity, and he did not think Mr Cameron expressed the real feeling of the people ot Dunedm. It was indicated that the motion as it was finally put to the meeting was acceptable to Miss Pattrick. When it was unanimously carried uiere was a prolonged burst of applause, which was followed by cheers for Mrs M'George. ANNUAL CONFERENCE Subsequently it was decided that the annual general conference provided for by the rules be resumed, the .first conference to be held in July next at Wel--1 suggestion was also made to the council that a committee should ..be • set up to amend the rules and to circulate draft proposals as early as possible so that they could be considered at the conference. -'■-;,