THE HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13635, 14 April 1908, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL.

, (To tlie Editor.) , Sir,— On behalf of a number «f residents of New Plymouth I shotdd like to record our indignation at the tactics employed by Messrs. Brown and Andrews at the meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday. It is indeed a Y&J easy matter to attack a defenceless institution like a hospital, and its nurses, more especially vfrhen only women are involved? However it is quite under 1 stood that Mr Brown, "drest in a/lit^ tle T brief authority," has made «v at^ iiempt at gaining' fame. Cheto'notoriety. Cheap advertising for : feathery methinks. Nay that ydti MvtfrgGiie so far,' "Mr -Brown-;. we/^hAuenge^lSftwi fp6 prove your charges by specifying tifem; The public want confidence restored m this most humane institution. It- rests ' with yourself to give such particulars as will enable the fullest inquiry to be made. When you heard this gossiping tittle-tattle, ,Mr Brown, why did you noi, like a man, go straight to your Chairman, .or Dr. Leatham, or perhaps the Matron, and ask them to ma.ke inquiries, instead of publicly condemning the- institution that you are responsible for the management of. Thank' heaven, those of us Who have been brought into contact with ctar doctors and hospital staff realise their ability and kindliness. You are indeed a destructionist, Mr Brown. You have done your best to destroy the good ■ name of our hospital and should have protected W. It fe indeed cowardly to make such baseless charges, but you have the wrong sow by the ear. You take exception to the secretary of t the Board tafiing the nurses for a drive, and also to nurses going for a walk. Are they to deny themselves all recreation and neither go for a walk nor drive? Have you ever been generous onough to treat the nurses to an outing P You certainly have been sufficiently magnanimous to vote them the princely pay of, less than domestic ' servants. Wnv don't you endeavour to make the life of the nurses a little more pleasant by improving their hours of labour, pay and" other conditions P Surely after spending eight and ofttimes ten hours with €he sick and suffering, listening, to their agonising cries, and helping them in their last moments, you would not deny them a little relaxation. They want more of it and also more encouragement at the hands of their employers-r-the Board and the public. Their rate of wages is simply a disgrace to the community. Consider what a nbble work they aro engaged in, and yet you would deny them the right of enjoying a little pleasure in their own time. What next? You would have them slaves, but fortunately you "can't do Of. .There is a remedy for it all, however, in two alternatives, viz./ either to resign in a body or by formulating an Industrial Union of Workers and apply for improved wages, conditions" of employment, etc. It seems you have no other defence, nurses. With' regaTd to the dining room accommodation and diet, js not the Board itself responsible for these matters? I am sure all soberminded people will condemn such contemptible tactics as those indulged in by Messrs Brown and Andrews. We would like to assure "the doctors, matron, and nurses that these, gentlemen (?) have not thp support of the,, public in this matter. In teonclufcfion, I would ask the staff to "Gp labour on, spend and be spent." Your records of noble and loving deeds outshjnd all the vituperation of Messrs Brown and Co. Treat their abominable actions with the contempt they deserve" and ignore them. — I am, etc., J RESIDENT. New Plymouth,. April 14, 1908.