INFANT LIFE PRESERVATION

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume X, Issue 3, 1 July 1917, Page 161

INFANT LIFE PRESERVATION

June 26th, 1917. To the Editor ok Kai Tiaki. I read with much interest your article in Kai Tiaki on " Infant Life Preservation," also, I am sure, are many general trained nurses equally interested. If I may, I should like to discuss the position of the general trained nurse in this allimportant subject. At present the general trained nurse is faced with very serious financial problem in regard to taking her St. Helens course. After finishing the lean years of general hospital training, it is often necessity that drives the dream of ones 1 St. Helens training into the indefinite future. This war has, however, opened up limitless boundaries for the " well-trained and fully qualified midwife nurse." Their work is of such manifest importance to

our future national life ; I think a very real and earnest effort is due both by hospital nureing authorities and the G. T. nurse to meet each other on the common ground for the benefit of mankind. I would like to express my conviction that the trained nurse wishing to take up so great a duty as that of the practicing midwife, ought not to be faced with a financial problem. Her work and duty ought to be of sufficient importance to provide her daily bread and a small salary to cover working expenses. Elsewhere, we are told, " A labourer is worthy of his hire." In the earlier days of the nursing profession, women had to pay both board and premium while training. To supply the number of trained nurses for requirements the old dispensation passed away, in its place the present system of paying nurses during their training a small salary allowing them to live simply. In the article, " Midwifery at the Cape," dealing with this subject, I should like to note the practical and able way in which the Cape authorities met the situation, e.g., by removal of premium for registered nurses wishing to take their St. Helens

training. If, in view of the present need and lack of practicing midwives, our authorities could adopt such a course, with the addition of small salary, there are many general trained nurses who would immediately take the St. Helens course — thus made accessible. In these critical times when our nation is faced with grave social problems, " the preservation and promotion of infant life " is no secondary scheme, but stands, I should say, of next importance to that of the care of our wounded returned men. Government authorities would find money well and legimately spent in the development of furtherance of our St. Helens Hospitals, for the speedy training of practicing midwives. So much of real importance in the future of our country depends upon the practical and commonsense way in which this urgent need is met. Our nurses have always risen to the demands made upon them in this respect. I feel confident in saying, with the help of the Government, they will again respond to the call of duty. By serving the mothers and babes our St. Helens uniform will stand with honour beside that of our contemporaries in military uniform. Registered N. 1851.