THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, May 29, 1937. THE PLUNKET SOCIETY'S APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 12

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, May 29, 1937. THE PLUNKET SOCIETY'S APPEAL

It would probably be impossible to name any comparably useful institution in the Dominion, perhaps even in the Empire, which has accomplished so much in the interests of humanity and of the general community as the Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children, better known, as the Plunket Society. This speaks volumes for the spirit in which the Society was established and in which it has been maintained and developed—a spirit manifested in the invaluable contribution of an immense amount of gratuitous personal devotion to the cause represented by the Society on the part of those who have made its control and progress one of their interests in life. Thirty years have elapsed since the movement inaugurated by Sir Truby King took practical if modest shape in the opening of the Karitane institution —the pioneer of its kind—at Anderson's Bay. Probably but few of those present at that ceremony, sensible of the difficulties and discouragements to be encountered, realised how steadily and rapidly . the Plunket movement—once it was fairly established —would .compel public respect and admiration, and carry its ramifications throughout the length and breadth of the land. The prestige and reputation of the Society to-day mark the fulfilment that has come from small but courageous beginnings. Yet it is surely a somewhat incongruous circumstance, when the scope of the Society's present-day operations is considered, that the original building rendered available by private generosity as its first hospital and training centre—a moderate-sized dwelling house —should be still in use as the seat of its ministrations in the city of its foundation. The building has been extended, of course, altered and adapted by recourse to many ingenious, expedients to meet the needs of an ever♦growing institution, but the demands of the Society's increasing work are inexorable.

The fact stands out that today the original Karitana, Hospital is at best a patchwork, inconvenient and inadequate structure which has outlived its time and must be replaced. A strict regard for economy has been shown in the extension of the life and usefulness of this building for so many years and in the adaptation of means to ends. But the Society has to recognise that it would be a false economy and a hindrance to the development of the scope of its work if it were to attempt to continue in this way, and that therefore the provision of a new building for the hospital at Anderson's Bay must be made an immediate objective. With that purpose in view it is launching the appeal to the public for financial support to which we give prominence in our columns in this issue. The Society is asking for a sum of £20,000 to enable it to erect a new hospital and training centre. It will be agreed that it is not asking more than it is entitled to expect of the generosity of a community which is deeply in its debt for services rendered during the past generation. The Society has no princely endowments which might enable it to carry on its work free from any financial anxiety. It has to look for public support, but it has been sparing in its requisitions of that kind, and no reasonable person would think of weighing the cost of the Plunket movement against the value of the practical results of its activities—the saving of infant and maternal life and the promotion of an educational campaign which has excited admiration in many parts of the world. The people of Dunedin have peculiar reason to take pride in the Plunket Society, and it must be their desire to see that its local hospital is worthy of the Society's parent city. Therefore it should be possible to predict with confidence a liberal response on their port to the Society's appeal.