NURSE’S PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1942, Page 4

NURSE’S PROTEST

DISCRIMINATION IN CAFES. PALESTINE ARMY RULES. A Queensland A.I.F. nurse in Palestine has written to her parents that feeling among democratic Australian nurses is strong because of discrimination shown in cafes in Palestine between A.I.F. men above and below the rank of sergeant. She says: “Nearly all the decent cafes are for sergeants or above, and if we should go out with anyone below that rank'we have to visit second or thirdrate places. Escorted by a sergeant or anyone above that rank oi - alone or in a party of nurses we are allowed into the first-class cafes, but should our escort be below the rank of sergeant we are politely informed that we may not enter.

i "To add to our ire, the women of the [Voluntary Aid Service, who rank as privates, arc allowed to visit the firstclass places either unescorted or escorted by a sergeant or one of higher rank. “This rule, which is enforced by the British military police, is doubly hard on several of our nurses who have brothers in the ranks here. We are unable to get redress, and I would like you to see what can be done from the Australian end.”