WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 47, 23 February 1917, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

HEALTH. OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

MINISTER'S COMMENT ON SOCIETY'S WORK

CONFERENCE BUSINESS,

Further remits were considered at the afternoon.siffing of ithe Plunket Society's Conference yesterday.

One from Duuedin recommending the employment of a travelling Plunket nurse was carried. A similar one from Wanganui, with the addition "that the salary of this travelling nurse be defrayed by contributions from all the, branches," was strongly commended by Dr. King, who was of opinion that such a nurse would be invaluable in helping the branches to keep in touch with 'new plans and developments of the wovk. The remit from Taihape, asking that all nurses requiring positions should apply to the central council, was withdrawn, as'the motion was found to be covered by the rules just drawn. Other remits concerning the simplifying of monthly report sheets were withdrawn, as Mrs. Carr (Dunedin) explained that they formed a- valuable basis for statistics for the society and for the Health Department. A Christchurch remit, asking that the Minister of Railways be approached and asked that the nurses' railway-pass be made out for use by any nurse employed by a branch, was carried. Remits from Hawera. and other places concerning the milk supply were formed into a resolution from the conference to ' the Minister for Public Health.

A committee to deal with remits and make recommendations>-to. the conference was appointed, to consist of Mrs. Carr and Mrs. MacGregor (Dunedin), Miss Cook (Marton), Mrs. Young (Auckland), and Mrs. Morton (Christchurch).

At the evening session this sub-com-mittee ' reported on ..remits, and the following were. passed : Hawera—3?he Hawfera branch being strongly of opinion that greater benefit to the communities would accrue, and that money would be saved at this time when economy is of such importance, if tlite matron of each St. Helens Hospital and State Maternity Hospital was a trained Plunket nurse, recommends that in future,,, where practicable, the matrons appointed to such institutions should 'have had a cbursto of training at the Karitane-Harris Hospital in addition to their other hospital experience. This ought to ensure that student nurses would receive instruction in the West methods of protecting child life, and the knowledge thus acquired would tend to be widely disseminated. , That it be a recommendation from the conference that' where practicable each branch of tine societyorganise, a band of volunteers to assist mcjthers with young families' either by taking the children ont or giving general assistance in the home.

It was remarked .■ in connection with this remit that in the early days of the Karitane Home there w|ero about 70 volunteer helpers, and the work could not. have been accomplished without them. , In connection with the Auckland ijemit concerning closer inspection of cattle, Dr. King said that most of thepeople in the room would react to the tuberculin test,, and urged the delegates tv airti at "reduction," and. not speak of "eradication," which at present seemed impossible. The advisability of establishing more homes on the Karitano lines was urged by Auckland.

Mr. Young was appointed to arrange a deputation to,wait on the Acting-Prime Minister, the Minister for Public Health, the Minister ' for Education, and the Hon. Mr. Herries, and any other. Ministers who are.in Wellington, and place the business of tlie conference before thorn. NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED. A letter from the Hon." Minister for Public Health, received by the conference,' was read by Mrs. Carr; president of the Central Council. ■' The Minister pointed out the low death rate in New Zealand compared to other countries, which he attributed to the better conditions of hygiene, drainage, etc., existing in this country, and the good work of the receiving homes, St. Helens hospitals, boarding out system, and the work 'of the Plunket Society. Nevertheless he felt that the work of the society was not sufficiently advanced after ten years of existence. The Government policy was to assist where most needed, and. subsidies would be: given only where the money is needed to carry on the work. He suggested to the conference to consider ways to open new branches", and that if Plunket nurses cannot be obtained the Government should train nurses' for" the purpose. " This conference," added the minister, " has arisen over certain suggestions I ventured to make, which were, I thought, calculated,to extend the seppe and influence' of the society's operations. From the papers before me find that on 30th September, 1916, there were 20 nurses working in 21 different centres, of the Dominion, after 9 or 10 years' work. 1 am satisfied that this rate of progress! is not commensurate with the work to be done, seeing there are some 28,000 ! births m the Dominion .per year. There are also 08 boroughs of over, 1000 population, without considering < the rural districts. What is to be done for the i 77 boroughs still beyond the scope of your society's operations? . The work of saving child life and assisting to rear a healthy population is of such tremendous importance', that I sincerely, hope your conference "will be able, to see its way to assure me of its ability to grapple "with the question as a national nit-; •der.taking. Loth as I would be ■to do anything, that would interfere with the great work your society has selected as its special domain, I feel so impressed with its clamant importance, that if the society cannot'see its wav to extend its work, other means of coping with the necessities of the situation must be found, and a system of trained nurses created for all fields not covered by your society. In view of the wastage of life caused by tho dreadful war through which we are passing, our duty as a, nation to child life is imminent. Equally is fit the duty of. the Government to see that every pound given by the State is devoted at once to the purpose in hand, and not employed to build up endowments and' permanentfunds."

SOCIETY'S ATTITUDE,

A report was placed before the conference last evening by a committee which had been asked to deal with the Minister's letter. The draft reply stated that most of the points raised by the Minister had been covered by a letter sent to the Minister on 31st December last by the Central Council. This letter answered almost all the points he was now raising,- and had deserved the closest attention. As. it had apparently not been read, a duplicate copy was now forwarded. The committee asked the Minister to explain how the work of the society could possibly be extended if the branches of the society were not allowed to establish tho necessary financial jjQ.4tifiii..l?j'..J3i!ildias jb» •tiisiil. wlm-

tary funds. The whole amount of the Government subsidy for Plunket nurses had been promptly expended in all cases, in addition to about an equal amount of voluntary funds. The accumulated funds mentioned by the Minister consisted entirely of money subscribed by private people for special purposes, sometimes as specified permanent endowments. The letter points out that if the- policy of diverting voluntary funds from the purpose for which they had been given was persisted in, it would shatter public confidence, and stop all tendency to further donations or bequests in the future.

"We can imagine no m'dre disastrous policy than this drying up of the springs of voluntary humanitarian beneficences —especially at the .present, national crisis." Most of the places mentioned by the Minister as requiring Plunket nurses were not capable of supporting them, or were already being visited by Phtnkct.nurses. Even'some of the.larger centres mentioned had been found by experience not to specially need Plunket nurses. The society was at present training a. considerable number of nurses and was proposing to establish twelve additional Plunket nurses at the most suitable places. The committee hoped that the Government subsidies for these extra nurses would be forthcoming.

The draft reply was considered in committee, approved without amendment, and subsequently confirmed in open conference. .

Yesterday afternoon, at the conclusion of the sitting of the Plunket Conference the delegates visited St. Helen's Maternity Hospital at the invitation of Miss Inglis, the matron. A special car was placed at \their disposal by the courtesy of the Mayor and council, and among the party was Mrs. 6. W Kussell and Miss H. MacLean> Afternoon tea was served, and the rooms were charmingly" decorated with gaillaa-dias, smaJl sunflowers, and other pretty flowers. The visitors greatly admired the fine'wards, ahd enjoyed the beautiful view from.the windows. The gai-den was gay with autumn flow.ers, including a great quantity of bella donna lilies. There are sixteen babies in the hospital at present, and they were models of health and good behaviour, most of them; being- comfortably asleep in their little cots on the verandahs.-' Miss Polden, of the Health Department, and the nurses belonging to the hospital helped entertain the visitors, and a very pleasant aEternoon was" spent./ ■ ' i ;. .

The hostesses at- the Soldiers' Club in Sydney-street for the coming week are as follow:—Sunday, Lady Stout; Monday, Wellington College Old Girls; Tuesday, Mrs. D. Stewart; Wednesday, Johnsonville Ladies'. Patriotic Guild; Thursday, Mrs. Mifji'ord, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs.Bevin ; Friday,-Miss Skerrett; Saturday, Mrs. L. Ehindell. In charge of coats and-'' parcels : Sunday, Mrs. Darroch; Monday, Mrs. Harris; Tuesday, Mrs. A. Atkinson; Wednesday, Mrs. G. Fulton-; Thursday, Miss 1 Marchant; . Friday, Misses Coleridge; Saturday, Mr. F K. Reeves.

Mrs. Flanagan took out a concert party to the Salvation Army Hull'at Trent-ham la-st evening. There was a good audience, and the concert was greatly ■ enjoyed. Motors were kindly provided by Mr. Magnus and Mr. Nelson.

The Upper Hutt Branch-- of the 'W.N.R-. is doing good work under Miss Jessie M'Ourdy ns secretary. .It Weld a sale on .■Wednesday to buy material for Red Cross work and took over" £16. The auctioneers: deserve special thanks' for their services, rendered free of charge. This branch is particularly active arid has many projects in hand. ' V

The friends of Mrs. Naylor will regret to hear that she.has. received : cable advice that her husband. Lieutenant Naylor, is lying ill in a hospital in. France. Lieutenant Naylor is well known in musical circles here.

'Nurse Godfrey has. withdrawn the resignation she submitted to the AVcllington Hospital Board, as she has altered her plans in regard to proceeding to PJngland. The board^tat yestterday afternoon's meeting, on the recommendation of the Hospital Committee, accepted the ■withdrawal.

Nui-so Aiken has'resigned from lfer position of acting-sister at the Hospital, and at the meeting of the board yesterday afternoon her resignation was accepted with i*>?grci>.

In the course of a letter from the Hon. G. W. Eussell to. Mrs. A. Carr, president of the Central Council of the Plan-, ket Society, the Minister stated:- —"I find that for the present financial year the following sums have been or will be paid over:—Subsidy on nurses, £2900; subsidy for KaTitane Hospital, £750; travelling expenses of nurses (for half-I year only) £184. In addition to ihe above the society's literature, printed at the Government Printing Office, costs a very considerable sum." Mr. Russell goes on> to point out that the death rate of infants in the Dominion is very low. The rates from 1909 to 1915 mv the four centres were: New Zealand 61.60, 67.73, 56.31, 61:22. 59.17, 51.38, 60.05. -The. Auckland- (statistics show:' GI.BS, 79.02, 63.02, 56.95, 80.81, 57.62, 71.67. Wellington: 84.21, 84.59, 73.36, 61.32. 60.23, 82.57, 57.17. Christchurch: 62.78. 69.40, 62.90,- .60.113, 63.49, 68.15, 54.24. Dimedin: 48.52. 79.08, 43.42,. 58.11, 73.42, 54.28, 72.26. From, this it will be seen that the city figures show a higher death rate than the average for the whole Dominion. The Minister expressed the opinion that if any branch had a credit balance it need not have aid, but that the subsidies should bu given where they were urgently- needed. His great wish was that the infant population should be reared successfully, h.nd all efforts, he could make would be in that direction. ■■'

'. In connection with. the way our soldil'ers were treated in the Old Country at Christmas time, an exchange' gives the following account : Said one lad :-'- ---"They met us. at the station with a motor, and there were rugs in it, and hot footwarmers. We weren't half sorry oithjer, for the day was as cold as charity. We expected just an ordinary.. sort of house; but it was a regular' castle, and we began to wish we hadn't come, and Bill said he wished he'd bought an etiquetfic book. We were both anxious till wje got inside, and were trying to think; up all the manners that we'd been taught. Inside we forgot it all. Everyone was kind, a-n'il didn't fuse, and/there/ wer(i Eome Canadian there, and two New Zealandera, and" schoolboys and girls, belonging to the family, and we had the time of our lives, games and food and fun, and finished -up witii -a dance, and they brought the servants in foi that; and then someone pointed out the mistletoe over the door, and it was put to good use, and we were sent back to the station iv motors in time for the last train to town. Give 'me Christmas in England every time," he added.

"I see in .the English papers," ' says Mrs. C. N. Williamson, the well-known novelist, writing to a friend in London, "that questions are being asked in .the House of Commons about .'embusques' a,t Monte Carlo and other Riviera places.. I know for a fact that there isn't a man under- forty-eight—of British blood I mean —at.Monte Carlo or Nice. The few British there are, are older, most of them much older, and they are all doing some useful,war work or other."'.