NZMJ, 1923

The medical women of New Zealand have banded themselves together to form an association, and the first annual meeting was held in Canterbury College, at Christchurch, on 21st February 1923. There was a small but enthusiastic gathering. Apologies were received from other members who had found it, impossible to be present but who wished the association well.

The Christchurch Vice-President (Dr. Baker) was in the chair. Dr. Siedeberg furnished a report of the year’s work.

The need for such an association was first felt in 1921, when one of the senior medical women received an invitation from the Victorian Medical Women’s Society to attend their annual meeting in Melbourne, and to send on the names of other ladies who, being members of the British Medical Association, were eligible to be invited. The lady to whom this was sent found herself in a dilemma, as she realized that, although there were over 60 medical women in New Zealand, she scarcely knew a dozen of them. In some cases of their names were not known to her, and there was no easy way of finding them out; others had married and the husband’s name was unknown; other had left New Zealand; and a few had died. As each year was adding to the list it was obvious that it died. As each year was adding to the list it was obvious that it would soon become impossible to trace them.

A meeting of Dunedin ladies was therefore held on 27th October, 1921, and it was decided to form a Women’s Association. There were present:—Dr.s Bathgate, Irwin, Nees, Moody, Whyte, Stevenson and Siedeberg, who was voted to the chair. An apology was received from Dr. Day.

It was decided to circularise all the medical women and invite membership. This was done and about 17 members responded. After that, during 1922, a few meetings were held of the Dunedin Division, at one of which Dr. Whyte read a paper on “Vitamines.” Seven members were present and an animated discussion followed.

At one of the meetings a letter was received from Dr. Isabel Crosby, stating that the Canterbury Women Graduates Association had asked her to supply information regarding appointments in the Canterbury district for which women doctors were eligible, and she wished to know if the Medical Women’s Association would supply the information. Through our Christchurch Vice-President (Dr. Baker) this was attended to.

At this meeting, also, it was decided that, as Dr. Siedeberg had been invited to speak at Waimate at the unveiling of the statue of the late Dr. Margaret Cruickshank, she should, on behalf of the Medical Women’s Association, present a tribute from them in the shape of a laurel wreath. This was done on 25th January, and as an Association we feel proud that one of our sex had so won the love and esteem of those with whom she worked that they desired to honour her memory in this way. The statue is a beautiful one, standing 17 feet high, the figure itself being 9 feet.

The proposed constitution was then read and discussed. It was based on that of the British Medical Women’s Association.

    The following are the aims and objects of the Association:—

(a) To hold meetings at which papers will be read, and other matters of interest to medical women discussed.

(b) To further the interests of medical women in New Zealand and to promote social professional intercourse between members.

(c) To keep a list of members and the maintenance of an up-to-date list of openings for medical women, such as public appointments vacant, practices for sale, favourable places for starting practice, and posts as assistants and locum tenetes.

(d) On request, the Association will form local divisions in any centre where five or more members reside.

(e) To grant out of the funds of the Association, sums of money for any purpose of direct interest to the medical profession in such manner as may from time to time be determined.

(f) To contribute to any benevolent fund out of which may be made donations to deserving members of the Association, or to subscribe to a charitable or benevolent fund which would have the approval of this Association.

(g) To acquire by purchase, donation, bequest or otherwise, a library or other material of use to the Association.

(h) To accept any gift, endowment, or bequest made to or for the Association, and to carry out any trusts attached to such gift, endowment or bequest, provided that in such case the Association shall only deal with the same in such manner as allowed by law.

(i) To elect honorary members when thought fit.

Emphasis was laid upon the fact that membership of this Association was in no way expected to take place of membership of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association, but it was hoped that members would subscribe to both Association.

The subscription was fixed at 10s. 6d. entrance fee, and 10s. 6d. annual subscription.

The smallest number who can constitute a Division was fixed at five.

Membership is open to any medical woman registered in New Zealand, and any woman residing in New Zealand who possess a medical qualification entitling her to registration in the British Medical Register.

A general meeting shall be held annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association.

The question of affiliation with the Medical Women’s Federation of Great Britain, and through it, with the International Association of Medical Women was discussed. Dr. Ada Paterson had been present at one of the meetings of the London Association, and while there had been asked if we had an Association in New Zealand. The advantages of forming one and through it of getting into touch with the Associations of different countries were laid before her.

Dr. Siedeberg then read a report of the International Association of Medical Women, held at Geneva in September, 1922. At this meeting 17 different countries were represented, Great Britain and America each sending five representatives. The subjects discussed were: “Veneral disease in its Relation to the State,” “The White Slave Traffic,” “Cocaine and Other Drug Traffic.” The great value of the social functions was stressed, and a banquet at which the 19 official representatives in turn made a short speech, to New Zealand members of being affiliated with such an international association, were obvious to all, and it was unanimously decided to take steps towards affiliation.

The following office-bearers were appointed for 1923:—President, Dr. Siedeberg; Vice-Presidents, Drs. Northcroft, Bathgate and Baker; Council, Drs. Paterson, Irwin, Bennett and Gunn; Hon. Secretary, Dr. Marion Whyte.

After the meeting, Dr. Eleanor Blake entertained the members at a luncheon in Ballantyne’s Tea Rooms, and all present felt that this was only the first of many pleasant re-unions in the future.

The following have expressed their intention of becoming members:—Dr.s Bathgate, Baker, Chapman, Crosby, Dunne, Day, Hastings, Irwin, Morgan, Northcroft, Nees, Roper, Sands, Siedeberg, Stevenson, Woodhouse, Whyte, Paterson, Gunn, Platts-Mills, Bennett, Cameron, Fitzgerald, Bell.

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