Letter to the Editor

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume II, Issue 2, 1 April 1909, Page 70

Letter to the Editor

My Dear Miss Maclean,— Your delightful letter of September was the greatest kind of pleasure ; it is so refreshing to feel the links of interest m mutual work with our members across these great seas. I do hope some day I can visit NNcrw r Zealand, that wonderful country which many advanced thinkers m this one regard, as the most elevated of all m social justice. I hope the nurses will never forget to realise their great privileges m being citizens of such a country ; they should feel such a pride m its economic and social democracy, and rejoice m being able to take a part m its legislation for social betterment. If you could realise, for instance, the heart breaking struggle m this big, rich land to obtain shorter hours for working women ; more protection for children ; more consideration for the young. It is like pulling teeth to get the smallest crumb, and I feel sure that until women gain the ballot here we shall have nothing but a cruel rule of exploitation of the workers by the rich and powerful classes. I have been busy all this winter m helping to gather material, from German and French sources, on the evil results to health of overwork, long hours, premature toil, and all the things that any sensible, decent person ought to know ; whilst others are getting the same things from all English (language) sources, so that our National Consumers' League may make

another attempt in favour of legislative restriction of overwork. However, I sat down to write you of the coming International Council meeting next summer. How very delightful it would be if you could come. You will, of course, have seen in the British Journal all the announcements and communications, so I need only urge upon you the great pleasure it would give us all to have some of the New Zealand sisterhood on hand. As you see, besides the business meetings there will be a Congress with varied papers and discussions, in which all will have equal share. I would be so glad if you would insert parts of this letter into Kai Tiaki, so that all the nurses may know that anyone who can come to England next summer, whether as a visitor, or as a representative of organisations, will be mcst warmly welcomed. We would like to hear at firsthand about your registration. We must bring up all the facts on tin's subject in order to help the English nurses in their great fight. But maybe they will have won it by next summer — I hope so. Hoping that we may see some of you, Believe me to be, Always very sincerely yours, Lavinia L- Dock, Hon. Secretary. 27th December, 1903.