NURSE WHO REFUSED HIGHER WAGES

Chronicle (Levin), 24 July 1947, Page 5

NURSE WHO REFUSED HIGHER WAGES

•Press Association

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BLENHEIM, July 23. The'attitude of a senior nurse at tho Wairau Hospital, who was olfered a higher salary than she .was receiving to take a position elsewhere, but who declined the offer beeause she considered such an offer was not right, was commended by members of ' the Marlborough Hospital Board. "It is encouraging to know that we have nurses who are loyal to the hospital and who abide by the scale of pay fixed by the Hospital Boards' Association," remarked Mr. W. Kennington (cliairman of the board). It was stated a-t the board meeting that attempts had beeu .made to "black market" nurses by the offer of payment in excess of the scale ra'tes. Critieal refereuce was also made to the fact that eight months had elapsed siuce the Government had authorised an investigation into tlle salary scale for hospitals. So far, it was stated, the Government had not nominated its representatives on the advisory eommittee which was to go into the matter with the Kospital Boards' Association. It was d.ecided to make representations to the Department of Health and to the Minister of Health on the matter. At its next meeting the board will consider a motion that a bonus of 20 per cent. of their salaries^be paid to its nursing staff for extra work uecessitated by staff shortages since April 1.