AMBULANCE WORK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 172, 15 April 1919, Page 8

AMBULANCE WORK

PLEA FOR GOVERNMENT AID

FOR NURSING CLASSES

A number of suggestions reyirdisg the desirability of extending the work of the tit. John Ambulance Association, in view of the danger threatening' die country trum another outbreak of the epidemic were made to the Minister of Public Health (th>; Hon. G. W. Russell) by a deuutatioii tx-presentinK that body yesterday. Tho views of the deputation were raft before the Minister by Mr. J. B. l':nlav. The Minister, replying, sa:d that he desired to see the work of the association extended in every wav possible. What was must tenuired was that there should bo classes established in elementary nursing, and in the preparation of invalid food. The question of subsidising the St. John Ambulance Brigade was under consideration at present, and he asked for a statement of t-he finances of the Wellington branch, in order that he might see to what extent help wns needed and in what directions the money supplied might be spent to- best advanv;:re. ,Ho desired the movement of the Women's Uational Reserve for homo nursing, training, etc., to lead up to the higher work which was done by the St. ■fohn Ambulance Association. It was necessary, however, that whatever money was paid by the Government should go to the direct benefit of the trainees, and not in administrative expenses. He honed to be able to formulate a scheme bv which the cost of taking the lectures and obtaining certificates would be reduced to the absolute minimum in order that the people belonging to the mnsses, to whom the 7s. Gd. now: required was a. matter of consideration, would be able to obtain the training and knowledge necessary at a cost not exceeding Is. it this was done people in better circumstances could assist the association by voluntary subscriptions. The questions submitted would be referred to the Health Department for consideration. and ho hoped to forward an answer at a very early date. In the meantime lie. gave the deputation an assurance that, any money that might be ■■nent for the purpose of giving immediate training would bfa guaranteed by the Givernment. The Minister also drew attention to section 25 of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1918, which enables local authorities to g.'ve grants to such organisations as the St. John-Am-bulance Association and the Plunket Society. He suggested that the wholo of the local authorities, including city councils, borough councils, and county councils of the district, should be asked .to assist the funds of the association by 'wants. ~, , . *Mr. Finlaj\ on behalf ot the deputation. thanked the Minister for the manner iii which lie had received the request of the association.