Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY JUNE 15th. 1917. OPEN TO COMPLAINT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY JUNE 15th. 1917. OPEN TO COMPLAINT.

The decision of tho Charitable Aid Board on Tuesday night not to appoint a district nurse for South Westland, although thoru weVo three ailplications before the Board, does not appear to be justified on the face of things.. South Westland is a growing district. Settlement is extending and population is increasing.' Young families axe going into the district, ana following the practice elsewhere there, should be some special consideration for tho back-block settler in tbo way of medical attendance. For a long time past there was a very pronounced agitation ior the appointment of a nurse, and the Board responded to the appeal and secured a district nurse, who has been in the locality for some months. The nurse loft, and the Board, still recognising the necessity for a nurst.went to the expense of calling for applications. With the applications before it, the Board at the last moment, witm*. giving any tangible reason, resolved not to appoint. It is true that earlier in the meeting itliad boonelicited that , while the nurse was recently in tho district the fees• earned were about £3, and tho ocst to tho Board had boon £l3O. It should ho v a matter for gratification, rdjthor that, a lialance sheet of this nature could be presented. It does not prove that a nurse is not wanted, hut only that for the period the peop’e were fortunate enough t,o do without the nurse’s services. .Life and circumstances are so uncertain that it is never known when, medical aid may be required, and leaving the district without a nurse at call is to place the southern folk at, a great disadvantage, and in or of having tio pay large fees to secure professional attendance. In tho ordinary way to assist in providing for the maintenance and to keep of the hospital system in this district tho two isouthern ridings on their capital value value provide upwards of £looo to the district fund, vet they arc without a district nurse, even although in fixing tho £IOOO contribution provision was made for the residence of a district nurse in South Westland. Tho South people arc therefore in the position of making a very strong request to the Board to do not only a fair thing, but to carry out the scheme on which the levy for tho year is based. Circumstances have shown that qualified nurses are available, and the Board is bound in common honosty to provide the attendance. If this is not done the Board throws a’ heavy expense in the people in addition to tho burden of charitable aid they are already bearing. From every point of view tbo Board’s action is open to unfavourable common! as a breach of faith. Perhaps tbo matter was determined without duo consideration on Tuesday night, but tho decision should be reviewed at the first opportunity, the appointment restored, and a measure of justice dono to the set/tiers, and particularly the women and children of the south.