EMPIRE VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 3

EMPIRE VISITORS

PLUNKET WORK EXPLAINED INTEREST IN SYSTEM KARITANE HOSPITAL VISITED [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday It was fortunate that tho weather was so pleasant, oven though it. was a little windy, for the last day spent in Wellington by the ladies accompanying the delegates to tho Empire Chamber of Commerce Congress. They were taken yesterday afternoon to the Sir Truby King Karitane Hospital, where a most interesting few hours were spent inspecting all tho branches of the work. Tho guests, and there were many carloads of them, were met by Airs. Jowett, president of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society, and Miss Templeton, matron of the hospital. Everyone gathered first in the spacious lounge and adjoining rooms, which were charmingly arranged with pink rhododendrons and amaryllis. Greeting From Sir Truby King Facts about the Plunket Society and tho work at tho Karitane Hospitals were given for tho benefit of the visitors, who displayed a keen interest and enthusiasm in all that they heard. Airs. Jowett said how delighted the Wellington Plunket Society was to have an opportunity of meeting the overseas visitors, and brought them ft greeting from Sir 'lruby King, who had expressed his regret at not being ablo to bo present, but had said he hoped the guests would be interested in all that they saw. Airs. Jowett explained how the Plunket Society had received its name through the impetus and interest of Lady Plunket, who had given her name to tho society in its infancy. The society was only partly subsidised by the Government, who gave them onethird of the money required annually, said Airs. Jowett. It was not wholly run by Government grant, as some of them had been led to believe. The other two-thirds was found by voluntary workers, each of whom looked upon the chanco to work for such ft worthy movement as a great honour. To-day 80 per cent of tho babies born in New Zealand came under the supervision of the Plunket nurses, and the infant death-rate had been reduced from 80 per 1000 to 30 per 1000. Uniform Methods Followed Aliss Hooper, charge nurse, gave some further facts about the Plunkat Society, mentioning its application throughout New Zealand as the official and only agency for carrying out this type of infant welfare work. It had, she continued, a uniform system, the same methods being used and advice given in every centre. All the nurses employed were fully qualified with post-graduate experience. Thero were 12-5 Plunket nurses throughout the Dominion, about half of these working in rural districts. There were Karitane hospitals in six of the main towns of New Zealand and 68 residencentres. As a further, point of interest, Aliss Hooper mentioned that the name "Karitane" had come from the place of that name where Sir Truby King had lived and where, in the initial stages of the movement, he hud taken some babies into his own home to treat them. Aliss Hooper's talk was followed by one from the matron, who gave an account of the work of the hospital in explanation" of what the visitors would see*as they inspected it. A New Zealand Link Viscountess Elibank spoke on behalf of the visitors, and Airs. Barclay, who is in charge of„ a nursery for illnourished babies in Hampshire, gave a most informative account of the work carried on there. She remarked that Sir Truby King's methods were followed, and she herself was conversant with his hook on infant care, imparting the knowledge of it to many mothers. The nursery bore the name of John Aladdocks, in memory of Lady JMibank's brother. Airs. Barclay spoke also of how she had seen the work begun by Sir fruby King carried out among the agricultural labourers in England and also in India. She concluded by saying that the Empire owed its thanks to him and to New Zealand for the great gift of tho knowledge of such a wonderful work which laid the true foundation lor healthy citizenship. Before afternoon -tea, which was served on the verandah overlooking a wonderful view of the harbour and city, the departments of the hospital were shown to the visitors by some of the nurses and members of the Plunlket committee. An afternoon filled with profitable pleasure was concluded with a visit to the factory in tho grounds where tho Plunket baby food products are made.