PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 March 1934, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In view of the fact that letters have appeared in various New Zealand papers voicing the impression that the members of the executive and of the council of this society and delegates to various conferences receive some financial assistance in the matter of travelling expenses from the funds of the Society, may I have the assistance of your paper to correct this unfortunate misunderstanding which is apparently generally believed. I wish, to state on behalf of the society that apart from the Plunket nursing staff, the only salaried officers of the society are the medical adviser (Dr. Martin B, M. Tweed), the director of Plunket nursing, tne .secretary and two typi'stes, the first three of wnom are the only officers of the society whose travelling expenses on the society’s business are reimbursed out of its funds. No member of the council or of the executive of the society ever receives anything from the funds of the society or of its branches, either by way of honorarium or for travelling expenses incurred. No delegate attending any conference or meeting receives remuneration ,or expenses. In a few cases branches employ salaried officers as secretaries, and in such eases entirely at. the expense of the branch concerned. The executive and members of the council have for years visited ‘Wellington to attend council meetings at least twice a year and in some years more often, while a large number ot women have regularly attended numerous conferences and meetings since the earliest conferences were held, at no small personal and financial sacrifice. The interest shown and the sacrifice made in the cause of the society bv those who thus voluntarily serve it without reward, and fvfho often travel' great distances afc' r.considerable expense, make it desirable that there should be no misunderstahding in the public mind in this matter. The executive is somewhat .surprised and concerned to find that, there is-.a, general impression abroad that the funds of the society are drawn upon for such purposes as T have mentioned, and it is a matter of great importance to the welfare of the society that that impression should be removed without delav. —I am, etc., KATE P. MeGEORiGE, President.