LOYALTY REAFFIRMED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 4

LOYALTY REAFFIRMED

Plunket Workers And Friends Meet Loyalty to the aims and objects of the Plunket Society as laid down by the founder, Sir Truby King, was reaffirmed by a representative gathering of Plunket workers and friends in Wellington yesterday, Founder’s Day. Tributes were paid to Sir Truby and Lady King by Mrs. P. Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister; Mrs. 11. Jowett, president of the* Wellington branch, who was in the chair; Mr. P, E. Pattrick, a member of the advisory board of the society; and Mrs. Charles Gray, president of the Coastal Towns Branch of the society. Mrs. Fraser spoke of the great value of the Plunket work, stressing its national aspect and the need for it in these times. She conveyed a sincere apology from the Prime Minister, who was unable to attend the meeting, and his best wishes for the work of the society. ' Mrs. Fraser spoke of the Important part women were called on to play in the life of the country. She said that a great deal was expected of the average woman, who usually bore many, and often heavy, responsibilities. Not only did the welfare of her infant depend on her alone, but she was called upon to prepare meals for the family, and possibly tut invalid, and in addition she hail many and varied other tasks. Tim Now Zealand woman- was very noble in all she undertook, said Mrs. Fraser.

.Mrs. Jewel t read a circular which Sir Trilby King had sent, to the branches 12 years ago, in which he urged that a keen personal interest be taken in the society by all its members. The same appeal stood today, she said, and with regard to loyalty, all members should try to bo an example to the people who were receiving the benefits of the society. There were many women who took their babies to the Plunket nurse and received her advice, but did not faithfully carry it out. When anything went wrong, they were the first a criticize and blame the society. “It is our duty,” she said, “to see that, the people who accept the nurse's advice are loyal to the nprse, carrying out iter instructions conscientiously and honestly. Only the babies of mothers who do this are worthy of being called ‘Plun.ket babies.’’’ .Mrs. Jewelt thanked .Mrs. Eraser for coming to speak to the meeting, and said that the members having pledged their loyalty were fortified to carry on their work for another year. A feature of the afternoon’s programme was a radio dramatization of the life of Sir Truby King, relayed to the meeting. It was prefaced with a recording of introductory remarks by Mrs. Jowett, wito told the meeting Hint as a result of the broadcast she had received thousands of letters from interested people. The gathering was held in the Eng-lish-Speaking Union rooms, which were charmingly decorated with autumntinted hydrangeas and scarlet berries. Afternoon tea was served.