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EL— 22a

Training of Probationers. Remit from the North Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board : " That probationers in small country hospitals, after two years' service, be taken on to the staff of the larger hospitals in preference to new candidates, in order to qualify for certificates." The Chairman said, although it was only fair that a probationer after serving a time in a smaller hospital should finish her training in a larger one, after discussing the question with the Boards of the larger hospitals, they had found there were so many difficulties in the way under the present system that such a suggestion could not be carried out without causing great confusion. He thought the training of probationers should be put on a better footing. He was of the opinion, most emphatically, that the training of probationers should obtain only in the large hospitals, otherwise it was hard on the girls who wished to qualify, because, although registered in New Zealand, a girl had not the same status in Australia or elsewhere as she would have if trained in one of the larger hospitals. He could assure the Conference he had this very much in his mind at the present time. Mr. Maxton (Greytown) said the trouble was that the smaller hospitals would suffer if they lost the services of probationers, as they could get the services of a probationer at a very much lower rate of pay than would be required by a professional nurse. The Chairman said that for the first year a probationer was practically of no use to the hospital so far as nursing was concerned, and it would tend to economy and efficiency if they had none but registered nurses in the hospitals. Mr. O'Brien (Mercury Bay) said that at the present time there were two probationers in the Mercury Bay Hospital under one of the most efficient matrons in the Dominion. Owing to the nature of the employment in that district a probationer learned more in the first six months than she would in two years in one of the larger hospitals. If they were to be told that the time they spent in a small hospital amounted to nothing as regards their status they were simply wasting their time. He hoped a definite system of training would be laid down. The Chairman promised that the whole question would have his most careful consideration. Children and Charitable Aid. Remit from the St. Andrew's Orphanage : " Appointment of guardians : That a clause similar to clause 4 of the Act of 1886 be inserted providing for the appointment of guardians." Mr. Talboys (Dunedin) thought some power was required to take children away from their parents when the parents had proved themselves unfit to look after them. Agreed to. Superannuation. Remit from the North Canterbury Hospital Board: " This Board is of opinion that provision should be made whereby employees of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards should be allowed to participate in the benefits of the Civil Service Superannuation scheme." Mr. Horrell (Christchurch) said his Board felt the time had arrived when all public servants should participate in the superannuation scheme. As he understood the Government was already proposing a comprehensive scheme, it was not, he thought, necessary to discuss the matter at any length. Agreed to. Treatment of Patients from Districts in which there is no Hospital. Remit from the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board : " That we strongly object to the Auckland Hospital authorities admitting people from the Bay of Plenty District into the Auckland Hospital without in the first place having some permission or instruction from our Board." The Chairman said this was entirely a local matter, and he hoped to arrange a proper adjustment until there was a hospital in the district. Police Gases in Hospitals. Remit from the Napier Hospital : "That cases sent to the hospital by the gaol authorities or police should have an attendant provided at the expense of the Government." The Hon. Mr. C. M. Luke (Wellington) said there were in the institutions at the present time many cases, more especially of delirium tremens, which came from the gaols, and there was no means of collecting the expenses. He thought the Government should pay for all such cases. The Chairman said the Commissioner of Police had promised to send a constable to assist in cases of delirium tremens. The Hon. Mr. C. M. Luke thought the Government should recognise their responsibility in all cases which came from the gaols. Mr. Cranby (Napier) said that in cases of suicide or attempted suicide his Board had repeatedly applied to the Police Department for assistance, and the request had invariably been refused. The entire cost was thrown on the Hospital Board. It was declined on the ground that the Government already contributed by way of subsidy to the institution. There was one woman who had been twenty times in gaol. As soon as she was released the Police Inspector asked that she should be taken to the Home, and when she left the Home she got drunk again and was again put in gaol. He hoped some provision would be made in this Bill to deal with such cases. Mr. Bellringer (Taranaki) thought the Government should at any rate pay operation fees, as the Boards had no means of collecting them. Even if they did not pay for keep they should pay operation expenses.