NURSES AND HOUSEKEEPERS

Wairarapa Age, 7 October 1926, Page 4

NURSES AND HOUSEKEEPERS

TO AID COUNTRY WOMEN. FUND RAISING PROPOSALS. Formed with the definite object of working in the interests of the women in the country, the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has in the short space of its existence made encouraging progress. In conversation with an “Age” reporter yesterday, Mrs. C. C. Jackson, the Dominion Treasurer, stated that from many provinces reports were being reseived to the effect that the movement was being welcomed gladly by farmers’ wives, and that new branches were in the course of formation. “It is our keen desire,” observed "Mrs. Jackson, “to do something practical for the woman in the far back districts, and it is indeed encouraging to receive letters from these women seeking advice and assistance. Though many of those letters contain accounts of hardship, we are glad to know that our organisation is being recognised and its assistance sought.” The division was now interesting itself in medical aid and domestic assistance for bush settlers, Mrs. Jackson added. They were aiming at raising £lOOO this year over the whole Dominion with which to found a bush district nurse and visiting housekeeper scheme. It was proposed to give medical aid through the nurse to back country settlers, while the duties of the housekeeper would be to relieve the nurse when the latter was called away frome ope case to. another, and to take charge of a household and allow the wife and mother to take a well-earn-ed holiday. It was anticipated that the £lOO6 would provide only one nurse and one housekeeper, but the executive officers of the division felt sure that once they laid the foundation of the scheme, its own operations would ensure its expansion and success. Good progress has been made by the division in Wairarapa, and to assist with the raising of the £lOOO, Mrs. Adam McKay, of Upper Plain, has kindly placed her grounds at the disposal of the division for the holding of a garden party early in December, the funds from which will be devoted to the bush nurse scheme.