VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 7

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY CONDITIONS AT HOSPITAL. HOURS OF WORK FOR. NURSES. (To the Editor.) Sir,—New * Plymouth hospital has a name far and wide for the efficiency of its service to patients and as a training school for nurses, and its progress I, as one not unconnected with hospital boafd affairs, watch with interest. I have been interested to read of the closing of the hospital to visitors because of short staffing and full wards. In this connection there is a point or two which the board heeds to have constantly brought before it. How can an efficient nursing staff possibly be maintained when a girl has to work long hours and attend lectures,, with but one holiday a month in which to relax? Such conditions would not be tolerated for hotel waitresses.

It is all very well to say that there is insufficient accommodation for extra nurses —if the board were thinking of the welfare of its nursing staff in real earnest it would see that the accommodation was forthcoming at once. Apart from this one feature New Plymouth hospital is probably the best run in-New Zealand, but in this matter of days off , for the girls on the nursing staff it ia probably the worst.—l am, etc., “MINDFUL.” Wellington, October .11. . _ . MATAU ROADING PROBLEM. (To the Editor.) Sir,— “Disgusted” says the* Matau reading loan proposals have been handed tb the Stratford council, signed by every ratepayer of this rating area, and that the ratepayers and councillor have nothing more to do with it. This loan went in some years ago and we have lifted two portions of it. When the estimates are being discussed for the ensuing year it is our councillor’s duty to look after our interests, but “Disgusted”, is right for once; what did we get? ;■.. Now we hear ofCr. Rawlinson putting his name down fof £lOO, and “Disgusted” wants to know where my friends were. Well, they had already had their names down twice,- when money was waiting to be lifted, but this time no money was on the estimates. The proposals were drawn up by Cr. Rawlinson and when placed before us, we saw “Junction Road,” but no portion-stated, so we were not diving into things that did not interest us. This proves my statements that Cr. Rawlinson had not enough supporters. I am sorry to know that some people think the reading of this district is a personal matter. I have not thought of standing, for a seat on the council yet, but if I do, and the present councillor is my opponent, I will be like the “Rambow” and take four out of six;—l am, etC " “POLITICIAN.”* Matau, October 13, 1934. AUNT BETTY’S GEMS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Everyone who owns a radio set in or around New Plymouth knows of the good work Aunt Betty and her Gents are doing to please listeners both young and old. On Saturday night the Gems performed once again, and were good to listen to. But the choice of song put over the air was not the correct one for young; voices. Several rather jazzy items were rendered by the Gems, with not very melodious results. Now I know Aunt Betty gives a great deal of her.time to the children’s session at 2YB, and her efforts are, I am ' sure, much appreciated. But I think they would be more appreciated if a simpler type of song were put over the air by the Gems. It takes more, than a child’s voice to make jazz numbers sound good, whereas a child can render’some of the lovely old, tunes to excellent‘advantage. I trust this .criticism will be read in the spirit in. which it was written—the welfare and progress of 2YB —I am, etc., LISTENER. J New Plymouth, October 14.