PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 182, 2 July 1938, Page 11

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

CONFIDENCE IN WORTH. Per Press Association.. AUCKLAND, June 30. The opinion that recent medical criticism of the Plunket system of infant nutrition should be welcomed, and that workers in the movement should not be discouraged by it, was expressed by speakers at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the society. Air J. H. Prater, chairman of the advisory board, said the criticism naturally had given the executive cause for grave concern. However, the Alinister of Health (Hon. P. Fraser) had stated the case for the society very effectively, and by doing so had given it protection. It was not his place to discuss the matters at issue, Air Frater continued, but he felt entitled to say that, the Plunket Society for more than 30 ’years past had had a record of which it should justly be very proud. Tho practical daily application of its system had made the New Zealand death rate for infants under 12 months old the lowest in the world. Over 80 per cent, of infants born in Auckland were dealt with by the society, which undoubtedly had the confidence of the community. In his opinion, the proposed inquiry should be supported and welcomed. His advice to those who were working for the movement and to the staff was to continue the good work of helping mothers and saving- babies. Dr. T. H. Pettit, chairman of the honorary medical staff, said medical staffs of the Karitane hospitals had been well aware of criticism, and the medical advisory board had discussed it several times before any public statement appeared. The board had met a few weeks ago and made certain recommendations to the executive.

“Please do not become panicky on account of adverse criticism,” remarked Dr. Pettit. “The more a man is in the public eye the more he is likely to be criticised, and the same applies to societies. I feel that the work of the Plunket Society will be strengthened by this criticism which, when we come to think about it, is only upon certain matters of detail. Tho society is carrying on a tremendous work covering many aspects, apart from the one or two points that are being criticised. We are not perfect, and we believe close liaison between the central medical advisory board and the executive, which unfortunately has not existed previously, will make for the welfare of children under our care.”

Tho president. Mre Allen, said the medical advisory board had already met and, with the assistance of three outside specialists, had prepared a report which the Dominion executive would shortly be called together to consider.