OUR BABIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 5

OUR BABIES

CBY HYGEIA.I Published tindrr iJie auspices of tho Royal Now ZcaTand Society for this Health of Women nrid Children. "It is wiser to put nu a tetuje at fho top of a precipice than to maintain au ambulance at the bottom." , THE DUNEDIN ANNUAL MEETING. The following account ot tho annual meeting: of thy Dunedin Society, ai which the priw-ipa] address was given by Air. P. Miincr, rector of the Waitaki Boys' High School, has appeared in ail Otago exchange;— NATIONAL HEALTH. The cold shower is better than whinky or even a cup oi' tea. an a brisk aid to health. That, shortly, is the very spirit of an exceedingly wise address .by Sir, Y. Milner, rtdor of the Waitaki Hoys' High School, the other afternoon ill the annual meeting of a progreosivo society which has done more in n lew years against prejudice and diftlculties to promote national fitness than has been done by any other institution in the Dominion—the Royal New Zealand Soctety for the Health of Women and Children. The society had its foundatior.3 in Dunedin, but its work has now become imperial in its influence, example, and purpose. It is possible that the promoters have builded better than they -originally dreamed. Throughout the Empire there is a demand for original developmental protection of infant life and promotion of national health on the line? adopted and so successfully followed by the NewZealand society. Perhaps the most striking proof of the influence of the society's tvork on Imperial thought is, a* was gracefully emphasised by the chairman (Dr. Champtaloup), the .fact that JJr. FTruby King, the foiiuder and leader of the movement in the Dominion, is i'Ow in England, nt the special invitation ol a representative association and with the good will of the New Zealand Government, organising a much-needed campaign for the saving of child life in the United Kingdom. Dr. King has been given leave of absence to help in a great worh of Imperial value, and it is indisputable that a man with his euthwaiasm and tireless energy will do a great deal in that period. But the time Tias come for thu Dominion Government to set Dr. King free from his pillion ay medical superintendent at Seacliff Mental Hospital, and to give lnm work in which he has no rival. again urge this upon tho Administration, The State must not remain laggard i« reco{;inising the value of Dr. King's ppikjial ■work, and in making provision for a wider practice of it. . The outstanding feature of the FOCifcty 8 meeting the other day was the pleasant, demonstration of the somewhat unique fact that the right men had been got. tor the occasion. The great point was '.hat the tone of the speeches had a sincerity and a definite purpose that occasionally have 'been lucking at similar meetiugs. The speakers realised the importance oj the society's work, and sincerely essayed to advance it by practical suggestions rather than contenting themselves (as is too often the shallow practice at annual meetings) with commending it in ••fine mouthiuls of sounding syllables. Platitudinous generalities and supci'heuu praise were mercifully scarce.

A SOUND PHYSICAL REGIME- IN EDUCATION.

Tho principal address was delivered l>y Mr. jMiiner, who (lißcusEeA "tho necessity for a souud physical regime in education. It proved infinitely practical. • Vuth tho 'grace of an orator and the common-Dense of an observant man, he dealt ettectneiy with-a. subject of soiue delicacy, anil incidentally revealed his litnecH for his position as a teacher of boys. His address uiVerves the earel'ul consideration ol parents who desire above all achievemfiiM to see their children .reach the highest possible standard ol' clean manhood, ilia address was jewelled with epigrams, in the sense that ilia instructive thought was happily expressed with admirable Lrevity. lie was too serious and sincere to be sa/tirical. Con Bluer Uicso, for example:

We could not expect to Btand up u) the tension and stress of modern life unless we were prepared U> adopt a more natural iorm of living, with more fresh air and more daily excrplace to instil this as a. national habit was in the schools. Tho training of character and the training of it sound body were tho foundation of education. > Tiio uoid shower, ( plenty of physical exercises in the open air, and the cultivation of regular habits were firsr. necessities. If it were possiblo to make people believe in perspiration and the tonic effect of the bath • . . they would iind themselves at tho very acme of litneHS'wilh no need for whisky ami such other pick-ups to make themselves feel fit.

That is the rector's philosophy of life, and it might very well bocomt the policy of the nation. Mr. Milner also ompliaaifwi the great need of Bound instruction in sex hygiene, Pupils should receive franl. sound physiological instruction. The wai has demonstrated the lamentable results of physiological ignorance, national mocK modesty, and parental indifference.

THE SOCIETY'S GKOWTIt. '.It iB scarcely necessary to discusß in detail the remarkable growth of the eocicty s work in Mew Xealanu. From initial sound service in Duncdin H has spread and takon firm root in 7o centfcs. And it has 'iecn borne overseas. Need more be said than to congratulate the society witii cinecre heartiness, and lo commend its interests mm objects lo the people?