GREAT CONTRASTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 3

GREAT CONTRASTS

POLAND AND FINLAND NURSE’S IMPRESSIONS “A Tour Through Poland and Finland” was the subject of an interesting talk given by Miss M. Lambie, Director of the Nursing Service of New Zealand, at a recent meeting of the Ngaio branch of the League of Mothers. In speaking of Poland, Miss Lambie said that the population was thirtyfour millions and there were tremendous class distinctions. Two million children could not attend school as there was insufficient money to provide schools or teachers. Disease was rampant throughout the country, especially tuberculosis. There were few hospitals and they were very poorly equipped. The Polish nurses made a tremendous effort for their country and very many of them were killed during the invasion by Germany. No Unemployment Finland, said the speaker, was a great contrast to Poland and a very beautiful country. The population was four an 3 a-half millions, and there was no unemployment, no class distinctions, and the peasantry were on a much higher plane than those rtf Poland. When Finland became an independent republic the Swedishspeaking Finns were the ruling element and both Finnish and Swedish had to be spoken in schools, churches. Parliament, etc., which naturally slowed up business. The nursing services of Finland were of a very high order, Miss Lambie said, and New Zealand had much to learn from them. Miss Lambie also attended an international gathering of nurses and spoke of the wonderful spirit and interest shown.