REFUSAL OF CALL-BACKS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 February 1947, Page 5

REFUSAL OF CALL-BACKS

-Press Associudov

official attitude to nurses' refusal fc

By Telcgraph-

WELLINGTON, Monday. The official attitude to the refnsal by mental nursing staffs to accept call backs on off-roster days as from 7 a.m. next Wednesday was given today by the Minister of Health, Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer. Mr. Nordmeyer said that the Deputy-Director-General of the Mental Hospitals' Department, Dr. j. Russell, had written to all medical Hospitals' Departmeni;, Dr. J. Rus-( sell, had written to all medical superintendents of mental hospitals as follows: "The central secretary of the Public Service Association has' today (February 21) sent me letters as per attjached copies and which I have formally acknowledged. (These letters related to the decision not to accept callbacks announced last week). I wish every member of the nursing staff to know that this department is entrusted with the care and treatment of oatients. Anv action as is indicted in the letter would interfere with such care and treatment. I have 110 further comment to make, nor is more necessary. Will you please arrange for all nursing staffs to be notified of my attitude in this matter."

24 ?till held but the Ministry was uncgrtain how the situation would develop in the next 24 hours. He appealed for stringent voluntary economies beyondthe oflicial restrictions by all users of fuel power, over the weekend. The gas industry has been order ed to reduee the co.usumptiou of eoal by ten per cent from today. Food manufacturers predict a ditflcult food situation unless pennitted to re sunie manufacture immediately, with a crisis particularly affecting points goods and rationed foodstufCs.