HL— 31

8

The competition of unqualified women, who to add to their husbands' earnings like to take in a few cases, is also a detriment to qualified maternity nurses settling in country districts. An amendment of the law allowing any one to receive one case at a time without a license is necessary to protect the interests of the trained midwife and ensure to the expectant mother, not always alive to her own interests, the best attention at this period so important to herself and her child. Reports show how appallingly ignorant many women are of what they need, and their willingness to pay for and put up with attendance and surroundings far from what they should have. To assist qualified midwives willing to start maternity homes in such country districts, Hospital Boards, and through them the Government, should be prepared to give subsidies when necessary. Massage. The Bill for registration of masseuses has not yet been made law, but the establishment of a recognized course of training by the Dunedin School of Massage is having the good effect of providing a number of well-trained masseuses and a few masseurs for the work of the Dominion. When the Bill does become law these will be ready for registration. A few of these trained masseuses have been taken on for service during the war on the hospital ships and at military hospitals. As more of our wounded and disabled soldiers return there will be much need for this branch of work.

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