THE PLUNKET NURSES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8462, 30 May 1916, Page 4

THE PLUNKET NURSES.

One ol' the biggest aitor-the-war problems will be the iilliag of tho gaps in tho belligerents' populations, and that nation will soonest attain normal- : il.y which makes th« be*>i provision for, the protection of infant life and encourages the dissemination of information tha.t will ensure its future citizens j being healthy and robust men and women. Jl is an axiom that war takes its toll ol' the best, of manhood, and there- would be a serious danger oi' racial deterioration if :ho. succeeding generations were not- reared under tho best possible conditions. In NewZealand, splendid efforts are being made to achieve this groat aim, and a wonderful tribute to tho efficacy of those efforts is ihe iau that they have resulted in tlm saving, every year, of the lives ol' 1000 infants who, under pro-existing conditions, whonld have fallen victims to the i^nora-nro or o.'irolessness of their mothers. Tho society foremost in this noble work is "The itoyal >"ew Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children" (more generally r spoken of as" "Thc'Plunket Society"), and it is the proud and justified oonst of this society that since its inauguration in 1907 tho infantilo death-riite in New Zealand has been reduced by 21 por cent., bringing it to 3 per cent.—the lowe«t in tho civilised .world. It should not be difficult to enlist tho practical help of tho general public for siich an institution as this' is. and we. therefore fool confident that tho announcement that tho Ashburton branch is in noed of funds will racot with a prompt and generous response. In a circular which the President (-Mrs .7. B. Christian) has just issued she says: "Unless wo get steady assistance, we will be unable to continue the work, which is now needed more than ever to fill the gaps caused by the wastage of war, with strong and healthy children." The branch has recognised-that the various patriotic 1 and relief funds have made heavy demands upon the public, . and for that reason the executive has not made its annual Phraket Day appeal. But the splendid work that is being done in the Borough and County by | tho Pluwkct , Nurse, should not be | allowed to cease—it would be a | reproach on the public;—and we be-lievo' tho people appreciate this good work too well to ignore tho society's appeal for financial, aid.