SIR TRUBY KING

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 13

SIR TRUBY KING

PLUNKET SOCIETY MOURNS ITS LEADER INESTIMABLE VALUE OF HIS LIFE WORK A statement issued by the Dominion Executive of the Rlunket Society contains the following tribute to Sir Truby King:— “ The death of Sir Truby King marks tbe passing of the originator and founder of one of the finest and freest voluntary services ever devised to assist mothers and preserve infant life. Very poignantly indeed is the loss of their eminent and revered leader felt by the great number of women, both lay and professional, who comprise his Plunket Society. “ Speaking at a Dominion conference of the society, held in Wellington in 1934, Lord Bledisloe referred to Sir Truby King as one of New Zealand’s most famous sons. If fame be born of altruism and the benefit bestowed upon one’s fellow creatures, then Sir Truby’s name can be called famous indeed. What the people of our country owe to the clever research of this gifted and philanthropic man can never be computed. In his research work he was original, and he broke entirely new ground, becoming the pioneer in New Zealand of the wiser methods of pre-natal care and infant nutrition that are generally accepted to-day. Lady King was his tireless and unselfish co-worker, sacrificing the comfort of her home to the cause.

“ One would think that a motive so noble would have been supported gladly and readily on every hand, but it was not altogether so, and the launching of the Plunket Society is a tale of difficulties surmounted ' and prejudice overcome by an indomitable spirit and undeviating purpose. To-day every city, town, and hamlet of our country sees the consummation of Sir Truby’s work in the service given to mothers and children at the local Plunket rooms, which may be said to form a way of remembrance from North Cape to the Bluff. Could anyone have a finer memorial -than that ? “ A sincere tribute is being paid to the memory of Sir Truby by the residents in the coastal district around Seacliff and Karitane, where for so many years he was a familiar figure. The news of his death sped quickly to Karitane, and a noticeable hush fell upon the activities of the village and the beaches which he had done so much to beautify by his tree-planting. On his own flagpole, erected on a commanding headland in the ground of his old home, the flag was soon drooping at half-mast and many eyes rested regretfully on this emblem of separation with a sense of personal loss. His name was on every lip, and the story was told of his sympathy and kindness towards the mothers and children of the district, including, particularly, those of Maori blood. “ Though the master hand had been removed, the organisation of his society is such that the work will go on. No finer tribute could be paid by the women of New Zealand to the memory of this great man than that they should dedicate themselves conscientiously to serve this work.”