THE HERALD. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1922 CHILD WELFARE.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1328, 5 April 1922, Page 2

THE HERALD. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1922 CHILD WELFARE.

The annual report of the Alexandra branch of the Plunket Society is pub- | lished in this issue, and the attention of > all interested in the great national question of Child Welfare is directed thereto. It is hardly possible to over estimate the importance of the work of this National Society, and it is gratifying to know that the work of the Society is being recognised and adopted in the Homeland where the need of its life-saving and health securiug activities are so much needed. Much misconception exists, in regard to the scope of the work of the Society and there is still much prejudice to overcome, but in spite of both handicaps the importance of the work of the Society is gradually being recognised. The work of the local branch has been largely confined to securing the services ot a Plunket Nurse for the district, and the raising of sufficient funds to pay their share, of the nurse's salary. But the annual report states " although the year's work has been satisfactory, the committee feel that there are many ways in which it can be extended and improved." The report also foreshadows certain changes in the arrangement of the Otago Central district which will mean that the district will in conjunction with other neighbouring centres have to face an increase in its financial responsibilities. And here is where the appeal for greater local interest in the work of the society becomes real. The work is not one which comes before the public with a blare of trumpets, it is work which goes on from week to week quietly in the home but the influence of which in after y-ars is beyond calculation, and the work is one, the importance of which spreads far beyond the home. It is of nationol importance for as the children of to-day are, so will be the generation of to-morrow. No nation can afford to ignore the welfare of its children and ,in this national sense the interest of all pub-lic-spirited men and women is called for. There is no work, not even excluding war work, more truly patriotic work than the saving of infant lives and the caring for the welfare of the children. The local branch is desirous of extending the scope of its usefulness and they appeal for a more widespread interest in the affairs of the society. It is suggested that a men's committee be formed to act in conjunction with the ladies committee. ,As parents men should be, equally w|th interested in the work of the society, but in addition the national aspect of the question is one which of itself should compel the wholehearted earnest support of every public-spirited man. The local committee hope to have a large and representative gathering at the annual meeting of the branch which is to be held in the hall next Tuesday, 11th inst., and we commend the work of the society as worthy of the support of the residents of the district.