PLUNKET SOCIETY

Grey River Argus, 24 September 1936, Page 6

PLUNKET SOCIETY

Greymouth Branch UNSATISFACTORY FINANCIAL POSITION. The possibility of the Greymouth . Plunket Society’s financial position bee lining serious was discussed by a p 'oininent member of the Society in mi interview with an “Argus” representative yesterday morning. Although the work of this very necessary Society is increasing a-t a great rate on. the West Coast and the necessity for a third Plunket Nurse is daily becoming more apparent, the financial support being given tiro Socioty in Greymouth is spell that the provision of a th.ird nurse is out of all question. It was pointed out that 11,187 eases were attended by the nurses during the year ended March 31 last, these iep re seating a very considerable increase on the previous year’s figures. Of this number. 6195 eases were attended in the Greymouth P’.unket Rooms, 2-114 being babies, .1147 ndu’ts and 634 pro-school children. In the whole district, which exlends from Reefion mid <)tiia to ITmi llnri. 456 ]>abici. came iiiid'.'r the personal supeivision of the two Plunket Nurses, .'part from the number of eases treated at the rooms or homes, the nurses duties also entailed the sending of 139 letters of advice. Last year annual subscriptions amounted to £62 Gs 9d,., donations (including proceeds of entertainments mid the Plunket ball) £lB2 2s fid. whilst the Government grant towards the cost- of maintaining the tv." \mrsos amounted to £'Jl3. So far this vear, the annual subscriptions show a .substantial dicerease ns is also the case with donations and proceeds of entertainments. The Plunket ball, it was pointed out, did not produce the same profit as has been he caste for a number of years past, whilst local appeals for various objects have substantially curtailed the revenue, of the Society. Many mothers, it was stated, were of opinion that the saffiiri.es of the nurs'CS 'were paid by the Government, but it is pointed out that the Government grant amounts to only approximately half the cost of the nurses’ salaries. Since July 1, the Society has had to pay the nurses a salarv equal to that paid in 1931. whilst so far no- announcement of an increased grant from the Government has been made. With a view to restoring its finances, the Society recently decided to inaugurate a- photographic competition "c-n the lines of a popular boy or girl contest. Good prizes were offered in four sections: Under six months; six Io twelve months; one year to two veans; and two years to six years. On'-y a handful of entries have been received, and in consequence, the elos--ng date has been extended to October 3. Encouraging results have been received from similar competitions in other centres, and it was pointed out that Runanga Sub-Branch raised £5-> s’< 2d. and Hokitika Sub-Branch £-53 17s 8d from baby photographic competitions last year,, whilst the Hutt Valley Branch raised over £3OO. The response in Greymouth has been most disheartening to the efficient band ol ladie s who comprise the Plunket Committiee and give much of tlroiy time to assist mothers and babies alike. “The treatment given by the Plunket Nurses is entirely free, and the mothers are- generally more than satisfied -with the efforts of the nurses.” stated the member, “but the response in return is most discouraging. Those in need of the Plunket foods, but who cannot afford to pay for them are not charged, and they are as welcome as those .in a position to pay. There is a collection box at the rooms, but it is only vn rare occasions that we find donations left to help the Society to maintain its humanitarian work for the mothers and children. Too many have the wrong impression that the Government pays the whole cost of maintaining the Society and he nurses.” Unlike many other Plunket Socie“os, the Greymouth Society has n<> bequests or the “Argus representative was informed, and consequcntlv it was-necessary for t.ie ommit.lee ’to be continually appealing for funds. The annual subscription is only ss, yet very few who ava'l themselves of the high ela.-s treatment and sound advice the Soeietv is in a position to oiler, pay their subscriptions. Tn the meantime, it is intended, to make every effoU to bring the photographic competition to a successful COTic’nson. The Society’s annual appeal lakes, place in December, and lhe committee has under consideration proposal* for making the appeal tne greatest success finaneia'’y. PLUNKET SOCIETY’S VZORK. SOUTH AFRICAN ADMINISTRATION. DUNEDIN, September 23. Lady S-idcy. acting-president of the Dominion Council of the Plunket Society has received a telegram from the Minister for Indusl/W and Com merce (Hon. D- G. Sullivan) advising that he had received a cablegram from the New Zealand rcnrpY'ntnti vc nt the Johannesburg Exhibition saying that tlie Governor-General (Lord Clarendon) had visited the New Z n land pavilion and had expressed warm admiration of the interesting display, and that her Excet’lencv Lady Clnron don. who had an intimate knowlcdg( of the wide scone of the Plunket So cicty’s wonderful work, had i’oen particularly interested in the Society s exhibit.