VOLUNTEER SISTERHOOD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1469, 6 November 1915, Page 3

VOLUNTEER SISTERHOOD

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —Since the first contingent of volunteer-women orderlies left New Zealand for Alexandria on October axst, I have received many applications from women desirous of offering their services and paying for themselves, or furnishing money contributed by friends and supporters. The only conditions on which such offers can be accepted are as follows : 1. That the volunteer-woman is over 30 years of age and preferably between 35 and 40. 2. That she has been medically examined and certified At physically. 3. That she is a woman of cheerful disposition, sound character and coramonsense, and sustainment of purpose. 4. That she is willing to do any work, and to give cheerful and ready obedience to the trained nurses and others in authority over her. The respousibility for seeing that these conditions are complied with rests with the medical adviser and myself in Christchurch. On these conditions money can be accepted in trust for any individual woman. General funds are banked and expended by cheque bearing the signature of the medical adviser and myself. The accounts are kept by one chartered accountant and audited by another chartered accountant. The volun-teer-women otter their services to the Imperial Government, which has for many months past employed such women, the peace supply of regular indued nurses having proved entirely inadequate. The New Zealand Defence Minister gives the Volunteer Sisterhood no official status, but accords all official courtesies necessary. Passports are obtained either in New Zealand or Australia. The possession of nursing experience is desirable, but not essentia!. The main thing is to get the right kind of woman. Much of the work is not nursing at all. The money required is approximately ,£l3O each to be paid iuto the Defence Department, less single steamer fare ; and to be paid into the Volunteer Sisterhood for equipment, plus ,£5 for additional war risk on insurance policy. The next contingent of volunteerwomen will leave New Zealand in December. The Y.M.C.A-agents meet the women at their destination, assist them as required, and take charge of postal and cable arrangements. The general funds of the Sisterhood have been temporarily exhausted by the dispatch of the first contingent; therefore applications from women raising the money for themselves must receive preference at present. But in no case will unsuitable women be allowed to buy their way into the Volunteer Sisterhood. —I am, etc-, Ettie A. Rout,

Hon. Sec. Volunteer Sisterhood. Box 360, Christchurch, 4th No-

vember, 1015