To Health Camp via Health Stamp

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 246, 18 October 1935, Page 10

To Health Camp via Health Stamp

Everybody Can. Help Under the patronage of his Excellency, Viscount Galway, GovernoiGeneral, a Health stamp campaign was initiated at the end of last month, the object being to raise £IO,OOO per medium of the sale of Health stamps for the extension of camps at which children of indilferent health may have the opportunity of becoming normal healthy boys and girls. i The health camp movement was begun in New Zealand some 14 years ago, when the first camp was held in tho Wanganui district under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, school medical officer for tho district. Since that .time the movement has extended gradually throughout the Dominion, drawing annually new districts within its scopo and affording very practical assistance to undernourished and delicate children. Of course, children suffering from tuberculosis are treated in institutions other than health camps, tho object of which is preventive. Public confidence in tho work is steadily becoming firmly established, as each year demonstrates more clearly the benefits it confers upon its inmates. During 1934 successful health camps were conducted under the auspices of various associations and committees at Motuilii Island and Waiheke (Auckland), Otaki, O’Kain’s Bay (Christchurch), Waikouaiti (Dunedin), Raglan, Pounawea (Southland), Waikato Heads, South Canterbury, Nelson, Wanganui and Thames. Of these organisations only two remain in operation all tho I ear round. They arc the Bryant Home at Raglan, which is financed almost entirely by private philanthropy, and the Raukawa camp at Otaki, undei the supervision of the Wellington Children's Health Camp Association—a voluntary organisation. In nearly all cases the selection of children for admission to the camps is made by school medical officers and practical assistance is given by school nurses in residence. Prom the Dominion’s standpoint, the value of such camps is undoubted. Tho expenso of establishing and maintaining them has been largely met by public subscriptions. Substantial assistance has also been obtained from the sale of health stamps during tho Christmas and holiday season and grants from art union funds allocated by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The staffing of health camps has been to a great voluntary or semivoluntary. In addition, unemployment committees in various .centres have arranged for domestic and outside assistance at the camp from men and' women awaiting permanent employment. The school medical services are also valuable.