MAORI TRAINEES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 82, 19 June 1945, Page 5

MAORI TRAINEES

HOSPITAL DIFFICULTIES EXPLAINED BOARD MEMBER'S. CRITICISM Strong criticism of the explanation of the Matron as to why it has not been found expedient to train Maori nurses in the hospital was voiced by Mr C. H. McCready at the meeting s of the Board last week. Mr McCready was supported to some extent by Mr Buirt but it was fairly obvious that other members views coincided with the observation of <fe chairman, who remarked that on all matters of hospital control he felt he must be guided by the 1 Matron and the Medical Superintendent who could speak from experience. The Matron's report arose from an enquiry made last meeting by Mr McCready as to why Maori trainees could not gain admittance to the institution and in reply the Matron's report stated that it was impossible to give Maori trainees the full and. proper training whilst the bulk of the domestic staff was composed of Maoris. From experience it was found that fraternisation between the two groups could not. be checked and the whole position became unworkable. In the event of Maori applicants coming forward they were always given friendly advice and, referred to Miss Lambic for guidance. Mr McCready declared himself amazed at the explanation and said that it was unbelievable that such a state of affairs could exist in a disrict such as this. On the one hand the Board expressed itself concerned about the spread of TJB. and kindred diseases amongst the Maoris and yet when it establishes a training centre for the Maoris who need it are debarred from gaining the knowledge which would be of such service to them. He wanted to know whether the Board had any voice in the matter. Why should one person have the right to block the whole policy of the Board. Maori girls, were just as entitled as any others to be trained 'in order that they could do their part in making New Zealand what it should be. It was time the Board took stock of itself and made, its own decisions. The Chairman (Mr L. Buddie) said that while the matter might be a policy one the question of staff discipline came very forcibly into it. The Board was largely composed of laymen and could not be expected to have the experience and knowledge necessary for the detailed administration of the hospital. If it had been found from experience that Maori trainees created difficulties in the matter of staff discipline the Board must, be guided by those immediately concerned and in control. Dr. Dawson backed up the Matron's report. He pointed, out that most of the Maoris in this district were related and could not resist getting together. The standard of discipline amongst the nurses was far higher than among the domestics who were free more or less after they had finished their work j to please themselves. Maori probationers had been tried in the past, and it simply wouldn't work. There was no desire to exclude them. It was just not a success. Mr McCready contended that th(

position ol domestics would always be unsatisfactory until arrangements had been made to u have them all living away from the as had been done at New Plymouth. He added that all the reasons advanced for the exclusion of Maori trainees were small and could easily be overcome if firmer disciplinary measures were introduced. If an army was a rabble who was* to blame? The. problem was not a big one and should be solved. Mr Caulfield. asked if there were not institutions where Maoris could be trained and was informed by the chairman that there were and that the Matron in most instances invariably directed them to .such and gave them friendly advice. Mr Caulfield then remarked that the Matron had enough to control at present and he for one did not want to aggravate matters by insisting on Maori trainees. He had no objection to the suggestion but he did

riot want to sec the staff dislocated and the Board had to leave it to the, officers' as. it was they | who would be blamed if things went wrong. He did not know why Mr McCready was suddenly so interested in doing so much for the Maoris. He recollected not very long ago his caustic criticism of the Maori staff in the domestic quarters ! The Matron's report was received.