THE DISTRICT NURSING LEAGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19993, 9 November 1927, Page 8

THE DISTRICT NURSING LEAGUE

Carrying on an effective philanthropic work quietly and without ostentation, the Wanganui District Nursing League has earned for itself an assured place in the goodwill of the citizens. It is rarely in the limelight, because its work lies in the by-ways rather than in the highways. But, none the less, its services are as real as they are appreciated. It work lies among the poor and, while the whole community acknowledges its value, perhaps none but the poor themselves, whom it serves, know its full extent.

The district nurses’ work is hard, but they never flag in the performance of it. The sick, particularly the aged sick, are attended to, beds of pain eased, homes made orderly, a hundred and one services rendered each day and many times each day, and all without fee. No case is ever neglected by them, nor does any call go unanswered. All this requires organisation and control, and, necessarily, money. Many purchases have to be made for the benefit of the sick, and the nurses, of course, must receive their salaries. The controlling and directing of this work imposes on the ladies comprising the league a duty which is by no means light, while the provision of finance is a constant anxiety. But, like the nurses, they are imbued with real love of the work and they do not weary in their self-imposed task.

For many years past, the District Nursing League, aided by the goodwill of the public, has carried on this splendid work, among the poor and, though funds have sometimes been low, they have still sufficed to meet the demands upon them. But this year, owing to the withdrawal of the Government subsidy, the financial problem has become an acute one, and the League is urgently in need of monetary help. A suspension of its work would be such a calamity that it is not to be thought of. The League, therefore, issues an appeal to the public for assistance, which, it may confidently be expected, will meet with a ready response. One has only to remember the manner in which the local publie, during the past winter, came to the rescue of the unemployed to realise that a call on behalf of the poor, particularly the sick poor, is not likely to be made in vain. There are various ways in which help can be given. Some will no doubt prefer to give straight-out monetary donations, and they could give to no better eause. Others may be able to make gifts in aid of the sale of produce and flowers which the League is holding to-day. The public’s part will lie in the bestowal of its patronage on the sale. Whatever part anyone may elect to fill, however, it is to be hoped that to-day’s effort will meet such support as will free the members of the League from financial anxiety and enable them to carry on the noble work which, for many years past, has brought brightness and comfort into so many homes in Wanganui.