NURSING SISTERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 11

NURSING SISTERS.

EN ROUTE FOR SPAIN,

AYELCOAIE IN LONDON

The three New Zealand nursing sisters —Miss R. Shadbolt (Auckland), Miss M. Sharpies (Levin), and Miss I. Dodds (Wellington) —who are on their way to assist in providing medical aid for the Spanish Government forces, were welcomed on arrival in London at a luncheon given by the National Trade Union Club (wrote a London correspondent on July 14). Air Ben Tillett, who is chairman of the club and a vice-president of the Medical Aid Committee, presided, and with Mr W. J. Jordan (High Commissioner for New Zealand), made a short address. Senor Sancha, representing the Spanish Ambassador, was present. The Trade Union Club members were particularly interested to know that the nurses had been assisted to make the voyage by funds donated, among others, by many trade unionists in New Zealand. The Medical Aid Committee. which has its headquarters at the club, has collected over £35,000 for its cause, and has sent to Spain 42 ambulances with a 'personnel of 100 including doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers. and orderlies. Viscount Churchill and Viscountess Hastings are joint-treasurers of the fund, and the president is Lord Addison. Mr Jordan complimented the nurses on their courage in setting out from New Zealand, and wished them Godspeed on their mission. Air Tillett also welcomed them, and declared that lie was appalled to think that Franco and his people were allowed to raze cities to the ground and to kill thousands of innocent men and women. He was encouraged, howffver, to know that, at last, there was a national awakening of public opinion in Great Britain, led by the Labour Party, and that the country’s responsibility was being realised- The maintenance of peace in Spain, lie declared, was linked with the maintenance of peace for the British Empire. The nursing sisters are to make a short stay in London before proceeding to Spain. ,