IS IT SWEATING?

Southland Times, Issue 19459, 26 January 1925, Page 5

IS IT SWEATING?

WAGE OF 15/ f WEEK. The proposal to pay a wage of 15/- per week to a young lady employed in the Bacteriological Laboratory of the Auckland City Hospital raised a discussion at the last meeting of the Board. It was stated that the assistant in question was a pupil who had recently matriculated, and had proved very useful in the laboratory. The Chairman (Mr W. Wallace), said the girl was particularly keen on the work, and for four months she had been there without receiving any remuneration. Dr Gilmour had recommended that she be placed on the staff and paid 15/- per week.

Mr M. J. Coyle: Can we take assistance at that price? The Chairman said that the girl’s father was anxious that she should do the work without any remuneration whatever.

Mr G. Knight: I think the appointment is all right according to the recommendations of both Dr Maguire and Dr Gilmour, but I certainly think 15/- per week for anyone in a profession is too little. The Chairman: She is only a pupil. Mr Knight: I know what I am talking about. She has matriculated, and she will be exceedingly useful to the hospital. But if we only pay her 15/- per week we shall have the, Labour Department against us, and it would say that we are simply sweating. Mr Coyle: There is not much sweating in the Auckland Hospital. They are very comfortable on their “screws” there. The appointment at 15/- per week was agreed to.