Royal New Zealand Society for the Health Of Women and Children

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7506, 3 July 1934, Page 2

Royal New Zealand Society for the Health Of Women and Children

ANNUAL MEETING OF P.N. BRANCH

The annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Plunket Society was held at Messrs Collinson and Cunningihame’s yesterday afternoon, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding, and associated with him being tho president, Mrs A. Coombs. There were twenty-one membors present, also Colonel J. G. Whyte, Messrs L. M. Abraham and R. L. C. Aitchison, members of tho advisory board. There wero apologies from Mcsdamos A. Eobinson, L. A. Abraham, W. Riddet,_ W. S. Bransgrove, A. A. Langley, D. Mitchell, Messrs A. Grigor, T. F. Belling, A. J. Graham and C. V. Day. Opening the meeting Mr Mansford expressed gratification in the largo attendance and extended a welcome to the two Foxton delegates, Mesdames W. Trueman and D. R. Barron.

Moving tho adoption of the annual report (previously published), tho Mayor paid tribute to the wonderful work being carried out by the society, not only in this city but throughout the Dominion. Tho benefits of the society were now being recognised in other countries, he said, and as a result the more progressive cities were forming similar societies with like results. New Zealand had the proud position of holding the record for the lowest infant mortality in the world, although the latest figures (31.22 per 1000) were slightly ahead of tho previous year. New Zealand was also in tho proud position of leading in tho lowest adult death rate and persons residing in this Dominion had a better chance of living to a greater age. It was strange that with all these benefits, wo were facing such economic difficulties. Civilisation was groping blindly forward, but the speaker hoped it would not be long before we emerged from this wilderness. Continuing, Mr Mansford said he believed that progress lay along tho lines of improved currency and credit methods, and as leaders in other directions ho hoped New Zealand would lead again and show faith and courage by adopting an approved new system, which would bring benefits to society in general. In conclusion, Mr Mansford said tho committee was entitled to wholehearted praise for the manner in which they had carried through the work in a difficult year. It was worthy of note also, that notwithstanding difficult times, assistance had been given to necessitous cases, for which those concerned were truly grateful. Mr Mansford also paid tribute to tho work of the Plunkot nurses (Nurses Kearins and Lockwood), which met with the hearty approval of all with whom they camo in contact. The motion was seconded by Mr L. M. Abraham and carried without discussion. The patrons of the society are their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Election of Officers The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patroness, Mrs A. E. Mansford; president, Mrs A. Coombs; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. A. Nash, W. H. Will, L. A. Abraham, J. Fisher, D. H. Bett, D. Mitchell, 0. W. Peach, W. S. Bansgrove, C. King, F. J. Nathan, L. H. Collinson, T. F. Fairbrothcr, A. A. Langley, J. Murray, C. A. Small, A. Robinson, and Miss McLagan; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mrs M. Aitchison; hon. solicitor, Mr T. F. Rolling; hon. auditor, Mr C. V, Day; committee, Mesdames J. 11. Whyte, N. 11. Sinclair, H. B. Free, T. J. Rodgers, K. B. Garland, W. Eiddet, A. Grigor, H. F. Wilson, H. Bennett, G. S. Poren, R. Tidswell, Hope Johnston, W. G. Black; advisory board, Drs. W. H. Will, Wilson and Williams, Messrs A. E. Mansford, J. A. Nash, M.P., A. J. Graham, J. Murray, L. M. Abraham, A. Grigor, j. Ireland, R. L. C. Aitchison; finance committee, Mesdames Coombs and Aitchison, Miss McLagan, Colonel Whyte, Dr, W. H. Will, Messrs A. E. Mansford, A. Grigor, J. Ireland, R. L. C. Aitchison and T. F. Rolling. On the motion of Mrs Aitchison, a hearty vote of thanks was passed in appreciation of the work of tho returning officers, thanks to the honorary solicitor and auditor being conveyed by Mr R. L. C. Aitchison. Moving- a vote of thanks to tho secretary, Colonel Whyte spoke in glowing terms of tho services tendered to the society by Mrs Aitchison over, a long period of years. Mrs Aitchison would not accept any return for her work, and the speaker said the committee could not get on without her. Miss McLagan paid tribute to the fine work of the president, Mrs A. Coombs, who had gained the lovo and respect of every member of the committee. The president was a silent worker, she said, and the' committee deeply appreciated the help she had given for so many years. Conveying this message to Mrs Coombs, Miss McLagan expressed the hope that she would enjoy good health in the coming year and be spared for many years to the society, the members of which assured her of faithful service and help. Tho meeting showed approval by hearty endorsement, both Mrs Coombs :;nd Mrs Aitchison expressing their I thanks.

Mr Mansion! then welcomed Miss 0. Hooper, nurse in charge of the Wellington branch, who addressed the meetting on “Plunket Work Overseas,” after the members had been entertained at delicious afternoon tea by Mrs Coombs. PLUNKET WORK OVERSEAS. Miss Harper, who lately returned from overseas,, where she had the opportunity of visiting motjicrcraft centres in Australia, London and Toronto, asked her audience to think

back 30 years in order to have a better perspective of how the Plunket work had evolved from the stage at which it began. She referred to the early research work of Dr. Truby King in

studying the problem of malnutrition until he had come to realise that tho most skilled scientific thought was applied to farming, while the important work of roaring the human “crop” was left to chance, tradition and hearsay being the only guides. He became convinced that ignorance was the root cause of the trouble, and only by the knowledge of what came to be called “mothercraft” being widely disseminated would there be better conditions. The nfollowed his inspiration to enlist all the woman in a nation-wido crusade to spread this knowledge. It was the women’s job; in fact It was everybody's job. That was the foundation of the society, its aims and objects being so marvellously broad and the platform laid down wide enough that it had been able to carry tho superstructure ever since. Such was tho state of ignorance formerly that cases of malnutrition wero so advanced that it was a case of life-saving before building up. Cases of this type were rarely seen now, Miss Hooper said, simply because a knowlodgo of mothercraft had permeated the whole community'. The speaker went on to trace the formation of the Plunkot Society until today, she said, there were six Karitane hospitals, 80-odd branches, and over 500 sub-branches, and 140 nurses, mothercraft knowledge permeating every community until it was rather taken for granted. That was the brief background Miss Hooper wished to create for following up her subject. Plunket work overseas first began in organised form in Australia, Miss Hooper said, there being centres in most of the large cities there, also in South Africa, in London and 'Toronto, while all over tho world there wero individual nurses working definitely on Plunket lines. The speaker then took her audience on a visit to some of these centres against the New Zealand background from which they had sprung. Tho Plunket rooms tin Sydney wero mentioned, also those in Hobart, Melbourne and Adelaide. At BroadMeadows, near Melbourne, Miss Hooper had visited a Catholic hospital reorganised on Plunket lines, where they had caught the real spirit of the work, the results being a real demonstration, in praise of the methods. In London/ Dr. Truby King and Miss Pattriek,' by their joint enthusiasm and foresight, had established a centre. In the difficult years following the war they had planted a tiny seed in that great city, in the midst of violent opposition, but results, as always, came. It was in some trepidation, two years later, that Miss Pattriek left to come to New Zealand. However, Miss Hooper visited the London centre in 1933, now situated in Cromwell House, a home with great traditions and lovely grounds, attached to which was a great hostel which had been opened free of cost. Tho speaker had felt it a great privilege to be offered a position, relieving a vacancy for an out-patient sister, and to find that this centre had preserved its individuality with methods so perfect in detail that a ' New Zealand-trained nurse could take over duty without further training. As instancing the growth of the work, Miss Hooper mentioned that as many as 100 out-patients would bo interviewed in one day. With regard to types, she said the mothers represented a cross-section of the community, as in New Zealand. In England tho mothers were still at the wonder stage—surprised that such results could bo obtained from the service. At St. Tholmas’s Hospital the same methods wore used, and at a Jowish hospital for babies there was a nursery department run on Truby King lines. Wherever she had visited/ Miss Hooper found the keenest interest displayed in New Zealand welfare work. In Toronto the centre was in its infancy, but there was boundless enthusiasm. The Plunket methods were not valuable in themselves, but the outstanding results which followed these . methods.

In conclusion Miss Hooper said there was inspiration in talcing a glance over such a wide field and in realising that all who had the welfare of children at heart were linked up in spirit. By lifting thought on a wider plane and taking a long view, there was always fresh inspiration. The work was well worth striving for, but no one could afford to sit down while there were fresh fields to conquer. If there were to be new developments it must be kept in mind that the original purpose of the Plunlcet work was the welfare of the mothers and babies. A hearty vote of thanks for her most interesting address was accorded the speaker on the motion of Mrs. Whyte.

Thanks to Mrs. Coombs for her kindly thought in providing afternoon tea were conveyed by Mrs. Mansford. Thanks were also expressed to Mr. •Mansford by Colonel Whyte, only for presiding, but for his continued interest in the society.