PLUNKET SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 15539, 8 July 1914, Page 9

PLUNKET SOCIETY

The second annual conference of the Plnnket Society was opened at Wellington, Mrs Algar Williams (Wellington) presiding. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Public Health), Messrs T. R. Sidey, R. Scott, Vernon Reed, T. Buxton, and’A. Harris, M.P.s, wore among the visitors. The. Hon. Mr Rhodes said he had always taken a keen interest in the society, and had watched its growth from small beginnings in s private house to its present stage, when from the Karitane Homo it ! sent out nurses to all parts of the Domin- i ion. Ho referred to the interest shown by ! other countries in New Zealand's efforts to minimise infantile mortality. A Government would indeed be failing in its duty that did not do what it could to rectify one of the greatest dangers ot modern times and help those agencies, , public or private, that were working in the interests of the health and happiness of the community, said the Minister. “ 1 think that the Government can claim to be quite in accord with the ideals of your, society, and that they have ever been ready' to give it substantial support, and I take this opportunity to mention my regret at the impression existing among some of your members that my department is in any antagonistic to your work. 1 have under consideration a scheme that may bring about a more speedy payment of the subsidies than is possible under the present system, which, on account of occasional delays, is vexatious .alike to the society, the boards, and the department. l' am confident that if any misunderstandings have arisen between your society and the department they are of a nature that can bo easily adjusted,and that your society will be able to co-' operate with the department in the great work vou have undertaken.’’ Dr Truby King paid a tribute to the efforts of the Wellington branch of the society for having brought about the annual conference. If it were the destiny ot New Zealand to be the nursery of the British race in the Pacific, he said, nothing better could be -done to attain this end than to carry on the good work of the Plnnket Society. Dr Valintine (Inspector-General of Hospitals) also spoke. He wished the society t every success in its conference business. ,