“NURSES A FORGOTTEN LEGION’’

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 94, 21 April 1944, Page 4

“NURSES A FORGOTTEN LEGION’’

SALARIES ARE INADEQUATE WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD URGES INCREASES Described by Mr. T. C. Kincaid (Taihape) as the “forgotten legion,” the nursing service was praised by members of the Wanganui Hospital Board, when, at the monthly meeting yesterday, it urged that the salaries of nurses be increased in all public hospitals. “I am entirely in support of this motion,” sa?d Mr. Kincaid, after the subject had been introduced by Mr. R. Farley (Westmere), "it seems that the nurses are forgotten by the Government and everybody else.” A letter from the New Zealand Hospital Boards' Association stated that the Economic Stabilisation Commission had advised that it had no power to increase the minimum pay of nurses, this being a matter for the Court of Arbitration. On the motion of Mr. Farley, seconded by the chairman, Mr. W. E. Broderick (Maxwell), the board carried a resolution expressing the opinion that nurses’ salaries were still too low and should be increased. Copies of the resolution are to be forwarded to all hospital boards in New Zealand, the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) and the Hospital Boards’ Association. Making comparisons between the rates of pay for first, second, third and fourth year nurses, and those of the domestic staff, Mr. Farley said there was a great difference. He was not suggesting that the wages of others on the hospital staff should be reduced, but it had to be remembered that nurses gave wonderful service and had more responsibility and higher qualifications. “Before the nurses are granted an increase some individual board must make a move,” Mr. Farley added “Since I have been a member of the Hospital Boards’ Association this has been one of my pet subjects,” said Mr. Broderick. At one time, he added, an increase of £2O a year was obtained for the nurses, but this was insufficient. “I shall push this resolution for all its worth at the next meeting of the association. Nurses are the poorest paid of all in New Zealand. They do wonderful work and do it cheerfully,” said Mr. Broderick. “Trying to get increases for nurses has been a long weary road,” said the Hon. W. J. Rogers. Compared with the wages paid to other classes of organised workers in hospitals, the scale for nurses was totally inadequate. Because of the arduous duties performed, the lengthy training involved, and th»‘ constant danger of infection, a much higher scale of wages should be provided. Mr. Rogers added. After the acting-chairman, Mr. D. D. Simpson (Hunterville) and other board members had spoken in favour of nurses’ salaries being increased, the motion was carried unanimously.