Nurses' Memorial Fund

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVII, Issue 3, 1 July 1928, Page 109

Nurses' Memorial Fund

The terrible disaster which befell the New Zealand Nursing Service early m the Great War, when the 4l Marquette " was torpedoed and eleven nurses lost their lives, led to the establishment of the fund which has done much to lighten the lot of other nurses. It was at a meeting of the Otago Branch, soon after the disaster, that the suggestion was made that a memorial should be set on foot. It was felt that the form of memorial which would have been most pleasing to those who were lost would be one to benefit their fellow-nurses. Miss Thompson, the President of the Otago Branch, put the matter before Dr. Lindo Ferguson, a known friend to

nurses, and quickly, with his co-opera-tion, the other centres were approached, and committees were formed m each. A Central Committee was instituted at Dunedin, with delegates from other centres. Dr. Undo Ferguson, as President, Dr. William Young- and Sir George Fenwick as Vice-Presidents. Mr. Chamberlain as Hon. Treasurer, Miss Williams as Hon. Secretary, worked enthusiastically, and gradually a fund was built up. Each centre collected its own subscriptions, which were forwarded to Dunedin, and there invested m War Loan debentures. An appeal was made through the Press, which brought a good result. It was decided that the interest only

should be used, and therefore, until the fund accumulated, not many annuities could be given. Fortunately, the Government agreed to give a subsidy on each annunity paid, and this enabled much more to be done. However, this arrangement did not last very long, and owing to the necessity of retrenchment these subsidies were not paid after March, 1922.

Rules were drawn up at Dunedin and forwarded for approval to the other centres. Under these rules, forms of application for relief were printed, which required certain particulars from applicants which have to be endorsed and verified by reputable persons, if possible, by the local branch of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association or by the Registrar of Nurses.

Nurses registered m New Zealand, maternity nurses as well as general trained nurses, are eligible, provided they are over 60 years of age, or are unable, on account of ill-health, to make a living. No one having an income of more than £104 per annum can receive an annunity from the fund. The amount of annuity may not exceed £104 per annum. Grants for temporary relief may be made m cases of sickness or other special need.

A very great assistance to the fund was the grant of £8,000 from an estate which was left as a special war charity, and which the trustees decided was well fulfilled by the Nurses' Memorial Fund. Apart from this, no very large sums have been received, but doubtless, if the needs of the fund and its objects could be brought before people when considering bequests, some good might be achieved. It is known that the fund has been considered by several nurses when making their wills.

In the last Annual Report, it is mentioned that the capital stood, on March 31st, 1927, at £21.000. hearing interest at 5-i per cent., yielding £ 1,100 per annum.

The calls on the fund are increasing, and although several of the original annuitants have died, or have been able to relinquish the help, there are many who cannot be granted annuities until the fund has increased.

On March 31st there were 15 annuitants receiving £52 or £75 per annum. The maximum annuity of £104 cannot be granted at present, and grants for temporary relief have to be restricted, but the smaller amounts have been very gratefully appreciated by the recipients, and have often meant just the little difference which spells comfort.

Nurses m private practice may often have opportunities of bringing before people who might gladly contribute to the objects of this fund. Many nurses themselves give regularly to the fund, and if every nurse m New Zealand gave even a small sum annually, the capital would be so much augmented that no really deserving application need be refused.

It may be added that, thanks to the promotors of the fund and the kind assistance given by President, Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer, the expenses of adminstering it have been almost nil.

Since writing the above, the report of the Nurses' Memorial Fund for 1928 has been issued, and we note that the fund has benefited by a legacy of £1,000 from the late Miss C. J. McLean, of Timaru, and that the several branches of the Association have donated sums varying from £60 from Auckland during the year. Fifteen annuitants were on the roll, and there had been as many as 19 at one time. A grant of £50 was made to a nurse who had a long illness, to enable her to make a fresh start.