BETTER DEAL FOR MOTHERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 4

BETTER DEAL FOR MOTHERS

TASK FOR PLUNKET SOCIETY PLANNING POST-WAR “NEW ORDER” Auckland, Aug. 11 More he .our * motherhood and a better practical deal for mothers with several babies were aims that the Plunket Society could advance as vital contributions to the conception of the post-war "new order.” said Mrs James Begg. Dominion president of the Plunket Society, addressing the Auckland provincial conference. She pointed out that while the democracies had won the previous world war, the Axis Powers had won the peace and an important element in their success was governmental action to encourage and assist the growth of population. The Plunket Society, since its inception. had been engaged in stopping leaks, said Mrs Begg. It had prevented the loss of infant life by ignorance or apathy and had helped to give a good start in life to babies after they were born. The time was now coming when the Plunket Society must make use of its unrivalled access to homes to encourage larger families. “If what our men are fighting for is to be held.” said the president, “we must make this adjustment here.” After the Great War there had been an enormous increase in infant welfare and mothercraft work. After this war there must be a great increase in attention to the birth-rate problem. Mentioning financial aid by the totalitarian Governments to child-bear-ing women, Mrs Begg said that the problem the young mother had to face were not wholly financial. Inability to get household help was serious and was becoming more so. “We have gone far wrong in another aspect,” continued Mrs Begg. "Our attitude to young mothers with little children is one of pity. We sny “pooi thing.” In some other countries mothers are held in the greatest respect and the childless woman commands no respect.” In the “new order” the community j must accord privileges and honour to j the mothers of several babies as well j as offering her practical help. A psy- j chological revolution was required. • A I change of attitude from one of pity for a drudge to one of admiration for a builder of future society was essen- { tial.—P.A.