PLUNKET SYSTEM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 178, 28 June 1938, Page 12

PLUNKET SYSTEM

TRIBUTE BY MINISTER.

QUESTION OF RESEARCH

Per; Press Association. WELLINGTON. June 27

The scientific inquiry into nutrition in New Zealand, an important part of which will be the question of infant nutrition, will be conducted by' Professor J. Malcolm with the assistance of Dr. Muriel Bell, Professor C. E. Hercus and Dr. Gregory, said Hon. P. Fraser (Minister of Health), addressing the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society to-day. He requested his hearers to reserve judgment on the question of child nutrition and the society’s work until Professor Malcolm had made his report. It was not, he said, a subject for controversy. The first question to be considered by the Medical Research Council recently set up would be that of nutrition, said Mr Fraser. There were many pressing problems in front of it. The tremendous question of cancer, the researches of Dr. Hercus into, goitre and of Sir Loin's Barnett into hydatids would still he gone into; but the first question before the council would be the nutrition ‘of adults ,as well as children. It had been placed in the very capable hands of Professor Malcolm. of the physiology department of the Otago University, one of the 'most honest and sincere scientists the country had known. Associated with him were Dr. Bell. Dr. Hercus and Dr. Gregory, and he was satisfied the investigation was in capable and reliable hands. They would take eyidence from anyone willing to give it, besides scientists, students and research workers. The whole question of nutrition would be thoroughly investigated. and a very important part would be the nutrition of children, i Mr. Fraser said that at the present time the Plunket Society was faced with a certain amount of criticism, which plight or might not have ascertain amount of -foundation, but the Achievements of the society in. the course of years was the best testimouv to it,s work. One could only marvel, at the progress that had been made. He did not complain of any criticism that bad a fair and scientific basis, -and the society should welcome any criticism that was constructive and helpful. POINT AT ISSUE. The point at issue apparently revolved around the question of whether the dietary provisions embodied in the Plunket system contained ' sufficient i, calories or sufficient proteins. He did not think that was a matter to get excited about: If it was demonstrated scientifically that adjustments were necessary such adjustments could easily be made. It was not a matter to lie determined bv controversy, by writing letters to the newspapers, or bv •leading articles, but bv a scientific investigation. The society’s att’tyde was that if any .improvements could be .’suggested it would gladly accept them, provided they were improvements. That was the 'right attitude .to ndopt. Like all Ministers of Health be came into daily contact with the work of the Plunket Society, and lie assured the ’s'oeiety that the Government appreoi-. Mted what it, was doing and would help it to: the fullest extent. Some, of the Vounger doctors who had studied dietetic problems m other parts of ,tlm world were ontitVl to express their (millions and to have them duly weighed and fully ■ considered, hut it would I)e deplorable if anv iconoclastic attack ware t.o be madei upon the work nT tlie society. 0 1 ' ' T t “There is nothin" in the national life •of our- countrv thntihas contnhn-f-d more than, tin- Plmikot.Society..” Mr'Prrtsor said. “In my opinion, orcat ins its work, has .'bwm in the pa=t. it ij= biily beginning. Whatever modifications scientists ninv show, to he necessary, if indeed aim arc necessary. I am convinced that the future of. the ‘society will he greater even than its wonderful past.”