WORK OF PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20812, 23 March 1933, Page 3

WORK OF PLUNKET SOCIETY.

i oWEST DEATH RATE IN THE WORLD. MINISTER opens provincial CONFERENCE.

•Thanks to the magnificent work of your society, New Zealand has ♦he lowest infantile death-rate in Ih e world," said the Minister for Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, in opening the Provincial Conference of the Plunket Society in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms Lterday. "A child born in New Zealand, within the first 12 months from its birth, has a better chance of life than one born in any other country. Twenty-five years ago, out f 1000 babies born in New Zealand, m died in the first 12 months of ... t 0 .day we find that the number of deaths is just a fraction over

oresident of the Canterbury JSch Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson, in her Spins' remarks, said it was very Spring to see so many delegates pres£nf and she expressed the hope that (inference would be very instruc*rf. anc i very helpful to the work in Serai They were fortunate in havwitii them the Minister for Health, wb o had always been a very good Mend to the Plunket Society. It was Sth very great regret that they had teamed that the president of the counJJfl Mrs J. A. Johnstone (Dunedin) was unable owing to ill-health, to attend fee conference, and they hoped she Jrauld be speedily restored to health. Her Place would be taken by Mrs Idfieim McGeorge, and other officials ** th e council present were Mrs Garth ffVav and Miss G. Hoddinott. Mothers' Cottage. Secaking of the importance of a confidence that called together delegates id both country and city branches, Mrs Cracroft Wilson said that the idea the mothers' cottage at the Karitane Hospital had originated at a count conference. For the establishment the mothers' cottage they owed a «ry deep debt of gratitude to Mrs B, H Gilmour, a member of the Cental Council, and to her committee. Such things sometimes became forgotteTas time went on; but it should never be.forgotten that the mothers' * cottage at the Karitane Hospital origat a country conference. Remarking that this was the first emference held under the amended aSßStitution of the society, Mrs Cragftffft Wilson welcomed the Minister for Health, and invited him to declare tbs conference open. Hr Youug, who was received with applause, said he shared with Sir (jniby King, whose ill-health they all deeply regretted, the distinction of •being one of the only male delegates present at a conference of the society jMIH as far back as 14 years ago. Tljb Minister congratulated the society on its new constitution, and said jw regarded it as an honour to be 0 open the first provincial conIP held under the new rules. He igratulated the Canterbury dis- ! the society on having such , capable, and energetic officers 1 Cracroft Wilson (president) s Cecil Wood (secretary). tie of Conferences. ferences, the Minister contbe very valuable. He to the work done by the s of the society, located at hich had always been the movement. The work done iquarters council at Dunraot be over-estimated, and rried a larger share of the teadquarters administration ler centre in the Dominion, r praised the council, as a ery capable women who good and wise reasons for scisions, and the interpree society's policy. All the ould give the council loyal I it should be remembered nbers were all honorary ing their services without ird in the great humanik which the society was pressing regret at the abhe ill-health of Mrs Johnid her task at the conferbe ably undertaken by Mrs /ork of the council," said r, "there may at times be hich are difficult to underwhich might be criticised. », when the council had to :penses, instead of reducing of the Plunket nurses it e extent of their annual ly. There has been some that decision, but you can lom and the fairness of it, wnment has approved and at plah." ►ciety's Finances, with the growth of the Minister said that to-day 70 branch centres with .itstations, and last year 123 ! employed. The total exst year on Plunket nursing le hospitals was £64,589. , the Government contribu--22,015. The remainder of had been raised by the the society's branches all aninion, and represented a tribute by the public to f the work that was being [ealth Department was also work in co-operation with The work was now of so character that, if it were on by the society, it would carried on by the Govern-co-operation at present best service for the com- ■ within the bounds of the iBIIBfc you are now doing," said Mr IHIiIKIS. "Keep to your limit of the Ed child, for now is not i attempt any extension of given, and the Government e money to give you. The t ha 3 helped the Christich to the extent of £1156, ritane Hospital here to the 800. It has been suggested irters that the Government uch for the socitey. It has that we should cut down ; but to throw the entire so the community would be To suggest that shows a on and a lack of appreciawork done by the society. 1 Wood expressed to Mr thanks of the society, (eorge expressed regret at th of Mrs Johnstone. She le progress of the society, led the changes in the con>he expressed the hope that •ences would stimulate the work of the society as a Cracroft Wilson was aplember of the central counter members elected were (Ashburton), representing es with two nurses each, i. H. Gilmour (Lyttelton), K the branches with one

' : Bwyo wives were simultaneously [jfltttei&ed by Jack Woodthorpe, Ply- : fHW. England, for four years, withi'lliMlther knowing of the other. He feiiW the first in 1920 and lived ftHMfer with her till 1928, when he i Wit# woman whom he married under name. The two women uvea fjKPGUJses fifteen minutes apart, and iJtSMSte able to give each satisfactory for his absences. He mainhis second wife with money aHp In his spare time. He was sent ''inr * or #ix rn ° nths -