ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 56, 30 November 1918, Page 9

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

Sir,—l see by the Newspapers the Government are suggesting that a nursing association should l>e formed to teach the public a cerhiin amount of home nursing, and I'would like to follow up a short article which appeared in the columns or one of the daily papers referring to this matter and asking, "What is (lie matter with the, St. John Ambulance Association ?" The Order of St. John was formed in Jerusalem many hundreds of years ago, to nurse the sick poor, .pid ever sinco then they have fought on at their noble voluntary work, "Pro Utilitate Hominuni," down to the present day, when their present headquarters are at St. John's Gale, London, with branches nil over the civilised world. Between forty and fifty years ago the idea' oj holding classes to teach first aid and home nursing originated, and these have been carried on ever since. In some cases the order has been well received, but not so in Wellington; it lias been .in uiiliiH fight against'bi? odds all along the line. Many workers have felt disheartened and retired to "stack arms," but have plodded steadily on. At the beginning of the wnr hundreds of women passed their examinations, afterwards offering their services in any capacity, but were not accepted, only those who went to England at their own expense nnd volunteered, when they were immediately accepted. Wo have'formed classes, medical , men lecturing, witli the aid of Hie St. John Ambulance nursing sisters or officers as demonstrators, and ninny of these pupils nnd demonstrator* are nursing in this epidemic, one bavin? laid down her me in the cause. Hundreds of these pupils, disappointed'at the result'of their work, have -one into offices to release the men for the war. hence, when, the call came for this epidemic many could not leave their employment. The result of'years or labour was the establishment of the District Nursing finild of St. John. Before thinking of a building in which to house ourselves, we tried a few weeks a"O to get the City Corporation to help us in this matter, but were "tiirned down!" However, our hearts have not failed, and we still hope to have our quarters in Wellington, as in other centres; also, we intend to help the (,iovprument in this nedessary scheme.—l am, ° lC " MMTDE CI, TiORIESON. . Ladv Sunerinlendent AVellington Nursing Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade.