SALARIES OF NURSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 8

SALARIES OF NURSES

WAIRARAPA BOARD GRANTS INCREASES. THREE GRADES TO BENEFIT. “If we do not do something about salaries we will drive the nurses into the arms of union secretaries,” observed Mr P. R. Welch in the course of a discussion at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board on the salaries of members of the nursing staff, It was decided to increase the salaries of the three grades of pupil nurses at the Masterton Hospital by £lO a year and-to bring the salaries of the remainder of the members up to the minimum rates suggested by the Hospital Association. The Medical Superintendent, Dr Archer Hosking, said there was a general shortage of probationer nurses throughout New Zealand. He would not like to say, however, that the Masterton Hospital was any harder up than other institutions. If higher salaries were offered it might induce more girls to undertake training. “On the whole,” he added, “I am rather proud of our girls here.” Mrs S. Fletcher urged that lowerpaid nurses should have their salaries increased. The cost of living had gone up and 15s a week was totally inadequate. Mr Arch Clark: “Woollen goods have dropped 73 per cent.” Mrs Fletcher: “They are not wearing woollies now.” Mr Clark: ,; They should.” The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, said it was not so much a question of one hospital competing with another, but that other walks of life were more attractive than hospital work. In reply to a remark by Mr Welch Miss C. McKenny pointed out that the Government had promised not to unionise nurses. A voice: “Do you believe everything the Government promises?” Miss McKenny: “I do in this ease because it is to their advantage.” The decision stated above was reached after some further brief discussion. The salaries of the hospital aids at Greytown and Pahiatua were also increased by £lO a year.