THE HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4001, 6 August 1915, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY.

(To ike Editor.) Sir,—l (humid like to thank those gentlemen on t-lie Borough. Council who supported my appointment to the Hospital Board, and who did not seem to consider that de presence of a woman there would very _seriously lower its .status. It would be to resting; and lnstructive t-o us d* -ill* Harold Bright would give as a fuller explanation of his statement to that effect, as to whether- the injury to the Board would be from, the moral or intellectual standpoint. 1 have worked ior some years on committees ami organisations ot both women and men. (I do not know whether Mr Brightspeaks from the same experience) and have not- found that women are lacking in either judgment or commonsouse, and though 1 quite recognise the ability of men in certain directions. and would not wish that any Board should be composed of women only. 1 believe that there is useful work that- can be done by them on some local bodies, and it does not seem too much to expert t-nat a Board of this naturo—which deals with an institution, where women' and girls are employee!, and from which women and children also receive benefits-—that one out of nine mom hors should he directly a ro.prefiouta.tivo of women. Women bring perhaps a different- experience and view of life to hoar upon matters under consideration, and _ for .that very reason some of ns consider that they should have .seats upon public bodies more often than they do in New Zealand. Speaking from a personal point of view I would be quite willing to withdraw my name from that of the nominees for a seat oil this Board, as 1 have no axe to grind nor any penwna! benefit- to. receive from it, hut I should not feel it right to-do so even at the cost- of mum personal unpleasantness to myself,, out of consideration to those organisations of both, men and women who recorded their votes in my favor. Councillor Miller was quite correct in stating that I was not asked, nor did I .sign any pledge. but it was clearly understood both by .myself and those who supported me that 1 was standing in the interests ot the workers (for whose benefit the hospital exists) and against any increase in the fees, [ am, etc... N, !•’. WALKER.