INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 115, 14 May 1908, Page 9

INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.

AND PEI\ r ATE" ASSISTANCE NEEDED.

■ it. the meeting of the Auckland branch of"the Liberal and Labour Federation last night, addresses were delivered "By members of the meaical profession on the subject of "Infant Life Protection;" Dr. Bedford said that this all-import-ant subject presented itself in two broad issues, firstly, as a plea to humanity— the cry of the weak to the strong—and secondly as a duty to ,• an association banded" together for the study of social and economic questions. The most natural cause of infant, mortality was improper feeding. We to-day knew nothing that went anyway near the plan of nature whereby a child was fed. Artificial feeding was a western notion, and -tnis method would not be observed by the visitor to any Eastern country. He referred also- to the--formation of the Infant Life Protection Society, and mentioned that if the demands of the public on the services of the Plunket nurse continued, they would soon need the assistance of others. The society was not a. wealthy one, and he appealed to the Federation to help them by obtaining subscribers or by securing a Government subsidy. If the requisite assistance, both Government and private, was secured, they would be able to build up the units who were to be the future citizens of the Empire. They were continually reminded of the' dangers- of Eastern invasion, but if they built up the infants, the Dominion and the Empire would look after themselves. (Applause.) Dr. Purdy, District Health Officer, referred to the fact that out of 1242 children b&rn in Auckland last year, 1111 survived, the first year of life, and 131 were now in Waikumete and other cemeteries. He expressed pleasure that the Federation had taken up the question of the instruction of midwives, who were •largely responsible for the instruction of mothers in the care and treatment of infants. One factor of great importance to 2sew Zealand was that, like other countries, it was faced with a decreasing birth-rate. The marriage rate and the number of children per marriage had also declined. The time had arrived when they must take heed for the morrow by instructing the girls in the schools in hygiene and the training of children. Ho suggested, as Dr. Bedford •had done previously, that these subjects .should, be included in the curriculum of

the technical schools. (Applause.) The - conditions under which some of the peo- "" .pie-lived were not conducive, to ihe rear- . ing of healthy children. Fortunately the ' early stock was the pick of England, ' Scotland, and Ireland, for the difficulties confronting the early pioneers prevented iweaklings from coming here. The best emigrants for Xew Zealand were the children born in the Dominion. At present the Government was paying £8 or f£lo per head to bring people to the "country, and even then they "did not come up to the local article. (Applause.) .- Dr. Purdy mentioned further that to- ""' .day one did not congratulate the father of five or six children, but if the country "ttaa going to progress, there must be healthy men and women—made by God and not by tailors and dressmakers—who would be able to bear strong and healthy children. He' hoped the members of -the Federation would-.spread the news vf the newly-formed Society, which would "give, gratis, the . services, of a._ trained . nurse to' instrtret mothers in the care r»-jand--rearing- of^their, (AgrMause.) ...•,.-,. 7 ~=.~ •-. ~~? - Br. Ferguson enlarged-on the aims and ' objects of the Infant Life' Protection Society, and mentioned that .the Plunket , nurse was at present attending 27

mothers, and as many babies per day. They must have support if the movement >as not to he killed in its infancy. (Applause.) Mr. T. Harle Giles moved a hearty JfoteVof thanks to the doctors for their Instructive addresses. Hon. Beehan seconded the motion.

The President said the question was Whether the Government assistance alKady given for infant life protection.

"went far enough.. Thousands -were spent

in the erection of schools. and other buildings, but "would'it not' be more <worthy for the Government to- spend an increased sum for the preservation of the lives of children destined to be the future

eitizen3. of the Dominion. : The motion -was carried iTxhanimously ' .Jfcmidsfc applause, and a second' resolution jwas subsequently agreed "to referring -the inatfer-to the executive for consideration

jsnd- report. I-During the meeting a letter, was read irom Mr. AL J. Coyle, expressing the

opinion that;" in cases" where there we're no .physical objections, it should be a criminal offence for a inbther to feed her infant in any but the natural way, and for a medical man to assist her in so doing.