OUR BABIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16675, 22 April 1916, Page 13

OUR BABIES.

Bx Hxam. Published under auspioes ol the Boyal New Zealand Society for the Health at Wotnsu ami Children. " It la wiser to put up a fence at the top oi a preolpioe than to maintain an ambulance bottom.'' LADY FRENCH'S APPEAL" Early in the war an appeal waa received ■fey the Society from the Old Country asking help for the wives of soldiers and sailors, and, on the suggestion of Mrs Lewis, honorary secretary o£ our Hastings Branch, it was decided to rnako tho Society' 3 contribution take tho iorin of bundles of " Baby Olathinjf." The matter was entered into with wonderful spirit and zeal throughout the Dominion, with the result that, thousands of baby clothes, made by willing workers, have been despatched in tho course of the last IS months, and enclosed with each handle was a copy of tho pamphlet " Baby s First Month." * , The whole work 'has been a labour ol luve, and no thanks were needed from tho recipients- on tho other side of the world; but it is "very gratifying, all the same, to read the warm-nearted letters of _ appreciation which have reached the Society from every direction. I shall quote a few of these letters as having an interest beyond the brandies to which they were sent, and aa an encouragement bo keep up a steady supply as as the need continues ■ Thb Women's Imperial Health ' Association. My committee haa asked me to thank yon for the charming baby clothes which you have so kindly presented to us. We are most grateful, and hope to display them amongst our other exhibits as a contribution from the women of New Zealand. The Lbagtjb oi Ehptbe. We have received the "maternity bags" for the Babies of the Allies. . . Convey to your committee our grateful for their help. Thb Was Victims' Relief Committee. . SOCTETT 0* FBIENDB. Miss Newcomb has sent to us some garments that have been received from you for our relief work on tho Continent. . . . Thank the contributors on our behalf. We ore so glad to have tilings for these poor people. . . . The refugees •who fled last year have now oome to an end of the stock of things that they could carry with them, and the clothes they had on are worn out. So the need continues, and will be greater still. We are sending some (of the bundles) to Serbia, and our workers are starting for there very soon. . . . With many 1 thanks and greetings from the workers on this side. Tut British Dominions' Woman Sotwkage Union. Your magnificent, gift of baby clothes has at last oome safely into my hands. The case haa been' under my_ eye for nearly two months, but the High Com- ' inisaioner would not allow it to be opened, till, very rightly, he was absolutely certain it was intended for the work I have on hand. I have now opened it, and words absolutely fail me for thanks. I have never dreamed of so beautiful a gift. As you know, if you have had time to look into the Report of War Relief Work I have sent you, I have been for some time receiving from elsewhere most beautiful babies'' things—gifts which are proving of tie greatest help to ua in London. Bat, beautiful as these axe, other countries have not yet reached the height of New Zealand in Baby Welfare; and I saw the moment _ I Opened your case that we had something of educative value beyond anything yet received. I at once, therefore, took out only three specimens and sent them, to our greatest Woman Doctor for the Children of London. Tho enclosed is her reply. She is to meet me in a few days, and it will be in co-operation with her that tile rest of yottr glorious gift will be distributed. I will write t» you again shortly. Will you meaanrhile convey to your committee our warmest for the invaluable help they are giving to the movement for Saving the Babies of London at the very moment when the Nation is in direst need. A Medjcm, Appbeciatioit. Enclosed with the above. letter was a note from the eminent Lady Doctor referred to: i I have only just had time to burrow rtrto your delightful surprise packets! What a joy they ato to touch, and how much child love is sewn into these esxpiisite little - garments. it ia the dream of my life to reform the clothing of oar children, and your beautiful patterns are full of suggestion. When you are next sending a message to New Zealand do give our most grateful and delighted thanks. The little New Zealand book "Baby's First Month" is FnTE. Is it possible to get a large number of til is pamphlet? I should like the mothers attending my clinic to have a copy. THE NATIONAL UNION OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE SOCIETIES. The following are extracts, from a letter received by the honorary secretary of the Ot-ago Women's Patriotic Association, which has been working whole-heartedly in conjunction with the Society for the Hpalth of Women and Children in this connection:— I am one of the persons entrusted with the distribution of some of tho articles of clothing sent by The Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, in conjunction with the Ot'ago Women's Patriotio Association, for the , babies of British and Belgian soldiers. As I have first-hand knowledge of the way m which these gifts have been appreciated, I feel that I must write and give you a little account of our work, I am a member o? the local representative committee appointed by the Town Council a member of the sub-committee responsible for the care of the families and dependents of the soldiers who .have gone from this borough, and also a member of another sub-committee appointed to deal with the care of maternity, and therefore I am acquainted with all the cases that are in need of assistance. You will see frorn the Report which 1 enclose that the Women's Employment Fund enabled us to provide outfits for 36 babies of soldiers serving with his Majesty's Forces. With the approach of winter, the demand for babies' outfits has been . continuous, far the increased cost of living makes it practically impossible for the expectant mothers to save enough from their separation allowances to provide what is nccessary. The bundles provided' by ,my Society had just come to an end, so you can imagine how greatly we weloomed the beautiful little bundles so generously forwarded by youx Society. I am called upon" to supply at least two, ■ and sometimes three, outfits for expectant mothers (soldiers' wives) every month, and I only ' wish your members could see the pleasure it gives to those mothers and could know how grateful they are; they would feel amply repaid for all their thoughtful care of oar little ones and for all their kindness and; generosity. ; . Our Society has teen doing its best to promote a scheme for the establishment of a Municipal 'Infant ' Welfare Centre for this district, and an excellent scheme has just been passed by the Town Council, but as yet there is nothing of , the kind. You will have received direct from our' headquarters a report of the way in which tbo clothing sent us has been distributed in other centres, so I will not refer to what has been done elsewhere. I can assure you that the same gratitude ' has been felt wherever our women and children have enjoyed the benefits so thoughtfully provided by their kinswomen overseas. You, may bo interested to know that 1 had the pleasure of visiting your beautiful country about 16 years, ago, and a cousin of mine—Dr Barnett, of Dunedin—is now giving his servjees in the hospitals at Cairo, which, as I expect you know, is one of the hospital bases for tho New Zealand Forces. Th-j little booklet, "Baby's First Month," by Dr Truby King, is particularly useful, and the women seem to read it with great interest. The excellent advice and information contained therein will, I am sure, prove very valuable and beneficial. I should be very grateful if yoa would send me 100 copies of this little book, and I will gladly forward the cost. I shall easily be able to make use of that number in this district alone. From 'north to south, from east to west, I tour tho world with tireless zest. Mid tropic heat or Arctic snow, My health to simple moans I owe. Through all I havo one faithful friend, In storm and stress prompt aid to lend That fortifies mo to enduro, 'Tis world-famod Woods' Peppermint Cure. WOLFE S SCHNAPPS is a etimulans that will brace you up and stand by'you.

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