Triennial Conference

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XII, Issue 4, 1 October 1919, Page 153

Triennial Conference

The Fourth Triennial Conference of the N.Z.T.N.A. was held at Christchurch on October 30th and 3lst. Present : Miss Maclean (m the chair), Miss Hood (president of the Canterbury branch), Miss Muir (hon. secretary), Mrs. Porter and Miss Inglis (Wellington), Mrs. Alfred Kidd (Auckland), Miss Gow (Dunedin), and Miss McKenny (Wanganui). Apologies were received from Miss Newman (Christchurch) and Miss Bagley (Auckland).

The subject of the admission of certificated masseuses to the auxiliary branch of the Trained Nurses 1 Association, which had already been incorporated m the rules of the Association m 1911, was discussed, and the following motion was proposed by Mrs. Kidd : " That a resolution be sent to the Inspector-General of Hospitals urging that the Bill for Registration of Masseurs be passed as soon as possible, with a view to clearly defining the status of properly qualified masseurs, and putting a stop to the exploitation of the public by unqualified persons, botk m the treatment of patients without medical supervision, and by charging large fees for socalled training and granting certificates to students.' 1 The motion wa s carried unanimou sly . With regard to nurses' superannuation, it was proposed by Miss Hood, and seconded by Miss Inglis : " That a resolution be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Hospitals for transmission to the Minister of Public Health, that the conference of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association, now sitting m Christchurch, respectfully suggests that a scheme of superannuation be given effect to m the interest of all nurses m training, and registered nurses and registered midwives." After discussion, during which Miss Maclean stated that a scheme was now m course of preparation, and that it was hoped that legislation would be brought forward m this direction by Parliament next session, the motion was carried. The question of uniformity m entrance fees to the Association, and m the annual subscription, was discussed, and it was

decided that uniformity was advisable, but that the varying liabilities m the four centres metde it impossible for the conference to decide, and the matter was referred back to the branch council.

On the second day the question of muses' fees was discussed, and the opinion was expressed that, In view of the fact that nurses employed either m public hospitals or m the State service had .had an increase m salary, the time had come when the position of the private nurses' remuneration must be considei'ed. This was the only section of workers, it was stated, that had not received a war bonus or increase m salary during the war period. The increased cost of living affected private nurses more materially than nurses m institutions, as their employment was not continuous. They had no income during necessary holidays or m case of sickness. Miss Inglis proposed, and Mrs. Porter seconded : " That a lecommcndation be sent to the branches that the present scale of fees for private nurses be revised, with a view to securing an increase and a uniform scale for general and maternity nurses." ■ The motion was carried. At the close of the meeting it was proposed by Miss Maclean, and seconded by Miss Hood : " That the Triennial Council of the Trained Nurses' Association place on record its appreciation of Dr. Liv do Feiguson's kindly interest m the nursing profession shown by his inauguration of the Nurses' Memorial Fund, and that the Council thank also the members of the various committees who have done so much to further the objects of the fund." The motion was carried. This being the first triennial meeting of the Association held •'since the declaration of Peace, the Council decided to place on record its sympathy with the relatives and friends of those nurses who died on active service during the war, and of those who died during the epidemic. The conference then i'ose.

A special meeting bf the Canterbury branch of the Association was held at the

hospital to meet the delegates from other centres. Several interesting papers were read.

The delegates attending the conference were the guests of Mrs. George Rhodes at " Beverley," Clyde road, on the afternoon of November Ist. A most enjoyable time was spent . Tea was dispensed indoors, and afterwards the guests visited the beautiful garden. Later a photographic gioup was taken as a souvenir of the conference. This included the hostess, who is an honorary member of the N.Z.T.N. Association.

Among those present were :■ — Miss Hester Maclean, R.R.C., Mrs. Porter and Miss Inglis (Wellington), Mrs. Kidd (Auckland), Miss Gow (Dunedin), Miss Wilson, R.R.C. (late matron Walton-on-Thames), Miss Steele, Miss Hood, Miss Scott (Timaru), Mrs. O'Loughlir, and Mrs. Crawford.

The delegates we^e taken for a trip to Kennedy's Bush, and the outing was thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Hood, acting-pie-sidenfc of the Canterbury branch of the Association, and Miss Hay ward, matron of the Convalescent Home, were the hostesses.