A Call from the Backblocks

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VI, Issue 2, 1 April 1913, Page 50

A Call from the Backblocks

Many years ago, a band of noble men and women left safe and comfortable surroundings, and braved the unknown pains of a long sea voyage, to come and open up the yet more unknown country of New Zealand. Each little group settled m their own particular spot, often miles away from their neighbour to begin a life of hard work and mutual help.

Naturally sickness did not pass them by. Doctors were very scarce, and nurses unheard of m these parts, but every man considered it his duty to do his best for his fellow pioneer, every woman considered it her duty to go to her neighbour's assistance even though it meant riding, and often walking, over many miles of rough tracks, and when there she would do her best — and often a very good best it was too (God bless her) — and many of these women became very skilful m the art of relieving pain, and more than skilful m relieving heartaches, which is perhaps the art most needed m an isolated woman's life, and we were happy.

Years rolled on, new arrivals came ; towns were laid out ; and the country progressed. Doctors settled m the towns, were they were most (?) needed. Hospitals were founded and staffed by women who knew that nursing meant twelve or sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, but they were ' nurses," and worked for the good of their fellows, " there was then no other inducement."

Then came good men and women whose aim it was to see nursing on a higher level. Every nurse must pass an examination, and we are proud that they have realised their ideals, and that our profession ranks with the highest m the world." But what is to become of us and our families m the backblocks, now that our dear old neighbours are not justified m coming to our aid 1 True, our hospitals are training nurses to take their places, but will they ? We offer our best m money and comforts, and surely no greater opportunity of helping to make li the world go round " could be found, and yet, we are told that " Nurses now-a-day won't rough it," and so we live on, deprived of the help we had, and denied the help we might expect, but often m our hearts we say : God give us women, noble and pure minded, Hearts full of love shewn forth by kindly deed, Women whose lives are one long sweet expression Of that brave sympathy we lonely women need, Women whose voices are true and kind and restful, Women men reverence, and little children love, Women whose help and happy faces cheer us Through many days of pain to health again.

Note. — The above must make our nurses pause and think, and we venture to say that many among them can add to their professional qualifications these others called for so eloquently, and hesitate not to give the help so needed.