The Conference of Central Council N.Z.T.N.A., at Napier Social Events

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 4, 1 October 1926, Page 153

The Conference of Central Council N.Z.T.N.A., at Napier Social Events

During the Conference the mornings were strictly devoted to business, and the proceedings are detailed on another page. The Hawke's Bay Branch had made very pleasant arrangements for the entertainment of the delegates, the first being an evening reception — on Wednesday — at which the President, Miss Macdonald, introduced His Worship the Mayor, who welcomed the delegates and gave an address to the members and visitors present, m which he expressed the wish that the Conference would be most successful and beneficial m every way. Mr. Mason, M.P., then spoke, and assured the meeting that he had the greatest sympathy with nurses and hoped that under the new Act for superannuation the necessary amendments would be made to include all nurses as well as those under Hospital Boards. He alluded to the great and valuable work of nurses, their selfsacrifice and need of proper rest and recreation. Miss Maclean, R.R.C, replied on behalf of the delegates, and thanked the Hawke's Bay Branch for the excellent arrangements for their entertainment. After the speeches concluded musical items were rendered, several of the junior members of the hospital staff singing and playing delightfully.

Supper was served and after some interchange of talk among old friends meeting again the party broke up, voting it a very pleasant evening. On Thursday afternoon the delegates were taken out to Havelock North by cars kindly lent and driven by their owners. The drive was to the Giant Peaks, on a road quite recently formed, which led to a great height to a point overlooking a most extensive and beautiful view over the Valley and away over Hastings and to Napier and the sea. Afternoon tea was partaken of at Havelock, and then the return drive started. In the evening Mrs. Clark, who had driven a party out m the afternoon, entertained some of the delegates at bridge. On Friday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Shrimpton, of Matapiro, entertained the delegates and members of the Association and friends to afternoon tea. It was a lovely drive out, seven cars taking the party. During the afternoon a guessing competition was held, Miss Inglis and Miss Thurston winning the prizes. Miss Hitchman sang a charming song to Miss Shrimpton's accompaniment, and after a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Shrimpton's hospitality and singing of "For they are jolly good fellows," the return trip was commenced.

In connection with the Conference of the Central Council of the N.Z. Trained Nurses' Association, an open meeting was held on Friday evening. Miss Macdonald presided and between 30 and 40 nurses were present. A memorial to Mrs. Grace Neill was decided upon and suggestions were made as to the form it should take. All present pledged themselves to render the utmost possible help to the scheme. Subscriptions from 2/6 will be received by the Branch Secretaries. Miss Moore gave a most interesting talk on the advance that has been made m other countries m connection with hospital work, and pointed out the need for nurses to have a broader basis of education which would give a wider vision of the preventive aspect. The nurse should become an "educator" m the homes to obviate the possibility of the patient returning to hospital. The family m this way is regarded as a social problem. The public health nurse fills an important position and works under the social service department of the hospital. In some of the hospitals m Canada a small salary only is paid to nurses m

training, but very special educational advantages are given instead. Post graduate work is divided into three courses — public health, administrative work, and teaching. In Montreal at the time of Miss Moore's visit there were 300 nurses taking a postgraduate course. Miss Moore spoke of the meeting of the International Council of Nurses held m Finland last year. Over 1300 delegates attended the Conference, 36 different countries being represented. For a considerable time beforehand the Finnish nurses learnt English m order that that language might be used for the discussions and papers. The organisation of arrangements for business and for the pleasure of the delegates was wonderful and the Government of the country had voted a special sum for the purpose. Miss Fu, a Chinese nurse, had extended a most hearty invitation to New Zealand nurses to attend the next Conference which is to be held m China m 1929. Miss Young spoke of Hospital Day m Dunedin and described the programme that had been carried out m this connection, and the interest taken by nurses m the proceedings.