LORD NUFFIELD’S GIFT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 March 1935, Page 5

LORD NUFFIELD’S GIFT

LORD BLEDISLOE’S COMMENT CHANCE F® THE DOMINION MILK FOR THE CHILDREN. (By Telegraph—Press- Association.) AUCKLAND, March 7.

“I cannot refrain from referring to Lord Nuffield’s munificent gift for the benefit of crippled children,” said the Governor-General, Lord Blcdisloe, .in the course of his address at the children’s farewell rallj r in the Domain. His Excellency’s words were greeeted with a storm of applause. ■ “There are many, unfortunately,” said his Excellency, “who in spite of this healthy climate of yours are, through no fault of their ow n, pros trated by infantile paralysis, tuberculosis, and other infantile diseases which have, severely handicapped them for life. Even if the mental, moral, and spiritual welfare of youth, especially the formation of character, bo the main purpose of education, it is se\ crely hampered by physical weakness or disablement. . Moreover, the educationally and financially weak are apt to hinder the progress and prosperity of the strong. “Lord Nuffield’s gift is avowedly and significantly a thanks offering for his own good fortune in, not being a cripple himself. Should we not do all in our power to prevent rather than cure human disability? Should not those of us who are endowed with the immeasurable benefit of sound constitutions and good health contribute according to our means our thanks offering from time to time for the benefit of those who are not similarly endowed?” His Excellency asked w*hat was the surest mode of prevention. He said it could be placed under two headings: First, the scientific care of mother and child at the time of birth founded upon Nature’s requirements. This the Plunket system so richly provided. Secondly, after care, healthy and wholesome surroundings, and due sustenance. ‘ Is this duo sustenance at present provided in the matter of jnilk?” his Excellency asked. “This is a land flowing with milk and honey, Nature’s meat and Nature’s sugar. An adequate supply of milk for the young, even if it be at the public expense, is a fine national in: vestment both in providing stalwart, robust citizens w r ho "will do credit to the nation in future, and also in saving hundreds of thousands of pounds now expended by the taxpayers and rate-, payers in remedying widespread after-> effects of youthful malnutrition. . ! “Of all the highly civilised countriesj Great Britain and New Zealand are said to have the lowest consumption of milk per Head of population in the world. Britain is worse than New Zea-j land, but I am not sure Britain produces so much. She is to-day em-; barked on an active milk crusade. lam .going to venture to hope that New Z.oai land with fewer difficulties to face will do the same.” j

EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE,

HOSPITAL BOARDS’ RESOLUTION

HASTINGS, March 7,

The general conference of hospital boards at Napier yesterday passed a vote of gratitude to Lord Nuffield, who has decided to give £50,000 for the treatment and care of crippled children.

The motion, .moved by Mr W. G. Gallagher (Ashburton), was as follows: — “That this conference of hospital boards asembled at Napier, representative of the whole of the New Zealand public hospitals,' desires, to express to Lord Nuffield its grateful thanks for his gift of £50,000 on behalf of the crippled children of New Zealand.”