SAVING THE BABIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 80, 2 April 1908, Page 2

SAVING THE BABIES.

LADY PLUNKET'S CAMPAIGN. MASS MEETING OF "WOMEN. There -was a large' attendance at the Choral Hall yesterday afternoon, when a mass meeting for women was held under the auspices of the Auckland Mothers' Union. Canon MaeMurray (Bishop's commissary) presided. The proceedings were opened by a short organ recital by Mrs. Bennett. "' Her Excellency Lady Plunket gave an address on the "Health of Women and Children," in the course of which she drew attention to the appalling mortality amongst infants in New Zealand, and declared that the mothers were responsible for it. Without a certain, amount of technical knowledge on infant feeding, the best mother in the world was quite as likely to make the baby she doted on as fatally ill as the inhuman mother who had no maternal feelings and no wish.to do her best by her 'offspring. Her Ex- J celleney referred to the ignorance of the average young mother in such matters, and stated that if the death rate amongst babies was to be reduced, all women who were married or about to be married needed educating in their own health and that of their children. It was for that reason that the Society for the Promotion of Health of Women and Children/was started in Auckland. Lady Plunket said she would like the fact to be widely known that a nurse was no\v on her way up from Dunedin, whose services on behalf of the Society, would be at th.c disposal of mothers, rich and poor alike, who cared %o consult her upon this vital question—the proper feeding.of infants. It might often happen that circumstances forbade a doctor being called in in cases .where a child failed to assimilate food or otherwise ailed. In such eases the help and sympathy of a woman would, prove invaluable. The nurse would be always prepared to advise any mothers who sought the benefit of her advice, would- visit at their homes if asked to do so. (Applause.) Mrs. Halliday, a delegate from the Motßers' Union of England, spoke on the "Ideal of the Mothers' Union," which she summarised as "the fullest possible development of each child on the physical, intellectual, and spiritual planes." The pitiable ignorance of many a mother cried to Heaven in tEe piteous wail of the suffering infant. Every phase and period of child nature was open to the full consideration of the Mothers' Union.. Myriads of worthy objects came within its province, and each branch could prove a nucleus for all. that was noblest, worthiest, most ideal, and holy in our family and social life. (Applause.) At the conclusion a- collection was taken up to defray expenses.