PLUNKET SOCIETY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

PLUNKET SOCIETY

A FINANCIAL BURDEN Representa.tvies of the Plunket Society sub-branches in Auckland concluded their first annual conference yesterday afternoon. If such conferences as this were held in the more important cities of each province in the intervening year, it was believed much valuable time would be saved at the biennial general conference in Wellington, said the president, Mrs, W. 11. Parkes. It was hoped some definite conclusion would be reached on questions which would in due course come before the general conference. At the general conference held about two years ago, said the president, it was decided that the contribution to the funds of the Central Council should be assessed on the number of nurses employed, and within certain limits the assessment was quite fair. As Auckland employed more nurses than any other centre it was found that the levy imposed a greater financial burden on the Auckland branch than it should be called upon to bear. If each additional nuj’se appointed meant that a still larger quota had to be paid to the council it w'ould seriously hamper the future progress of the society. With this in view it was decided that the following remit be forw'arded to the Central Council:—“That contributions to the Central Council should be assessed on the number of nurses employed, but within a limit of six, and after that on a sliding scale.” In regard to the rates in the Karitane hospitals the president proposed that the following remit be also sent to the council:—“That representation should be made to the Minister of Health for a remission of rates on Karitane hospitals throughout the Doimnion. These hospitals are conducted on the lines of public hospitals, which are exempt.” It was proposed by Mrs. Patterson, of Ngaruawahia: “That representation be made to the Minister of Health recommending that native health nurses should be given Plunket training in order to teach the work to the Maori race.” All the other remits were carried. Miss Goulstone, nurse in charge of work in the district, gave an interesting address. At the conclusion of business, Mrs. Parkes served afternoon tea at her home in Symonds Street.