TIMARU NEWS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20104, 6 December 1930, Page 2

TIMARU NEWS.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Mr and Mrs T. Hope (Haivke's Bay), who have been on a visit to Mrs A. Hope, Tumanako. Wai-iti roar], let t yesterday on their return to the North Island. Mrs C. G. 13. King, Seal.y street, has returned from a. visit to Lhristehurch. Miss A. l'ascoo (Christchurch), who has been staying with Mrs W. H. HErgrcuvcs, lvakahu, has left to with Miss H. I'inckncy, Southland. Recent guests at tho Dominion Hotel include Messrs A. Grant (Christchurch), and R. Walton (Wellington). NATIONAL MATERNITY SERVICE. PLEA FOR SAFER MOTHERHOOD. (rKOIt OUR OW* CORREsroNDKMT.) LONDOX, October 31. Nearly 3 000 delegates representing about 300 organisations attended tlio fifth Maternal Mortality Conference, which was opened by Mr Arthur Greenwood, M.P., Minister for Health, and which was presided over by the Duchess of Atholl. Mr Greenwood spoke of tho need of an effective scheme on a national basis, and expressed the view that some GO per cent, of fatal cases occurring before childbirth are preventable. Tho problem of maternity mortality, ho said, remained as stubborn as ever. It was one of tho black marks against tho health services of tho country. Nobody could contemplate that fact with equanimity, and no expert could convince him that motherhood should be so dangerous a profession as it was now. Much could be done by local authorities, and he hoped that as tho result of the now appeal shortly to bo made every local authority would give this matter more serious consideration. Another important factor was tho education of doctors and midwives. lie hoped it would bo possible in the very near future to ensure the better education of those concerned directly in tho maternity services. Mr Greenwood had not a national maternity scheme cut and dried, but he did look towards a partnership between the national insurance scheme and the local health authorities under a great national umbrella. Ho would do all ho could for a national maternity scheme which would stamp out altogether tho disgrace of unnecessary maternity deaths. Viscountess Erleigh proposed a resolution, -which was carried, advocating tho provision of a national maternity service.

Dr. Brackenbury (chairman of the council of the British Medical Association) said tho resolution had the solid and emphatic support of the organised medical profession. He emphasised the need for the continuation of tho education, agitation,' and propaganda represented by tho conference, and pointed out that .any tentative measures that might bo introduced must have tho complete national maternity service idea in view.

The confereneo passed unanimously a resolution urging the co-ordination oi! this voluntary effort with the work of public authorities "in order to enlist tho widest interest and support." Mr Greenwood will do well to heed that expression of opinion. SUNBEAM KINDERGARTEN. The monthly meeting of the Sunbeam Kindergarten Committee was held in tho schoolroom on December 3rd, tho following members being present: —Mrs J. It. Evans (in the chair), Mesdames M. S. Brown, C. A. Stringer, R. Mathews, R. B. Cape-William-son, L. B. Thompson, E. Milnes, I<\ Fairclough, F. W. Freeman, J. Redpath, H. H. Wauchop, Miss Otley, Miss Dawe, and Mrs L. P. Carlisle (iion. secretary). The school notes .showed that the subscriptions for the month were £5 Is 9d and the present roll number was 64 with an average attendance of 39. During the month Mrs Robson had visited the kindergarten and had been greatly interested in tho work of the little children. Thanks were accorded Mrs C. F. Champion for a tin of rusks, and to Mr T. Gill for mending the toys. The committee thanked Mrs C. A. Stringer for the sum of £5 10s, which was received for a beautiful tray-cloth, which was won by Mrs JP. WheEter, Gloucester street.

DANCE TO-NIGHT. Reg Stillwell's Dance Assemblv will hold a &1 Is fox trot competition in the Caledonian Hall this evening. Geo. Bradford's Band will supply appropriate music to 25 jazz and 25 other dances. The gallery will be open to spectators, and supper will bo free to the dancers.