THANKS TO THE COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 2

THANKS TO THE COUNCIL

The recent announcement by Cr McCrae that there is to be an extension of time to 4.45 p.m. for the carriage of perambulators on trams has been received by those interested with great satisfaction, and on behalf of all mothers with joung children, I would like to express our appreciation of such a helpful decision on the part of the City Council. A 15 minute extension may not appear to the uninitiated to be of much value, but to anyone who has experienced the trials of pram ownership it is a very encouraging move. There must, be few of us who have not at some time or another been greatly inconvenienced by the 4.30 p.m. limit on pram transport and lamented, “If only the time could be extended another 15 minutes! *' Another encouraging' sign is the interest that is being taken in the erection of the women’s rest rooms. Whatever the decision of the council may be concerning the site in the Octagon, it does arouse our hopes that some positive move may soon be taken. BEDS FOR BABIES The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, was recently stating that the mothers render the greatest service to the nation (perhaps we too could apply for Danger Money in consideration of the risks involved). He went on to say that the women and children must come first. The nation had to do everything possible to encourage an increase in the birth rate, and to do that they had to create the best possible conditions for the mothers. The private maternity homes are essential to ensure such conditions, and vet, because of laws and regulations, it seems as though everything possible is being done to force them to close down at a time when every available bed is urgently required. The matrons of these homes in Dunedin are continually having to turn away mothers who desperately plead with them to take them in, and the situation will be very serious indeed if these homes 'are not encouraged to carry on. At the present time staff shortages, both nursing and domestic, mean greatly increased working hours for the matrons,

who may have to do the cooking or the laundry after long hours in the theatre. The position has further deteriorated by the recent application for the inclusion of private hospital aides and domestics in the Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union, with consequent limitations on their working hours and the work they may be called upon to perform. The application of the 40-hour week and the strict segregation of duties would necessitate a greatly increased staff. Even if the staff were available, the increased numbers for which accommodation would have to be provided would result in a diminution in the number of beds available for maternity patients at a time when every bed is in demand. A mother might not appreciate being charged for overtime if her baby arrived after working hours on Saturday or Sunday. One of the homes in Dunedin, which can accommodate nine patients, is closing down shortly, and if any others decide thev cannot carry on because of these' new restrictions, the present shortage of maternity beds will be greatly Minister states that the nation must do everything possible to encourage an increase in the birthrate. Surely it is within our power to prevent the increasing burden of regulations .fwdng. the private maternity hospitals out of exist ence. ~