WORKING CONDITIONS OF MALE NURSES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27395, 7 July 1954, Page 3

WORKING CONDITIONS OF MALE NURSES

EXCLUSION SOUGHT FROM HOSPITAL AWARD (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTONA July 6. Members of the Society of Registered Male Nurses of New Zealand today asked the Court of Arbitration to exclude them from the provisions of the award covering unions affiliated to the New Zealand Federated Hotel, Hospital, Restaurant, and Related Trades’ Employees’ Industrial Association of Workers.

Through their advocate (Mr D. C. Milne) they claimed that they had nothing in common with the unions represented by the association, and that the society was best qualified to look after the interests of male nurses. The application was made to the Court before the hearing of a new award claim by the association. The Court comprised Mr Justice Tyndall, Mr W. N. Hewitt (employers’ representative), and Mr F. C. Allerby (workers’ representative). Because there was some doubt whether the nurses’ society represented workers only, his Honour instructed Mr Milne to seek legal advice about his right to appear at the hearing. The hearing of the award claims was adjourned because his Honour held that the application had been made to the Court by the association and not by the individual affiliated unions, as required by lawThe association’s advocate (Mr F. G. Young) was also advised to seek legal advice on the subject. The employers, members of the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Industrial Union of Employers, were represented by Mr J. R. Hanlon.