DAFFODIL DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 4

DAFFODIL DAY

PLUNKET SOCIETY’S FUNDS ANNUAL STREET APPEAL Probably the greatest single factor in keeping the fate of infant mortality in New Zealand the lowest in the world, is the work of the Plunket Society. Even more far-reaching than this important aspect, is the' fact that the society has contributed in no small measure to the high standard of health enjoyed by the people of this country. The aims of the society are worthy ones. They are to educate young parents in the care of their children and to protect the health of the children themselves. This work,, always extensive, has been greatly increased by the high birth rate at present being experienced in Dunedin and elsewhere. The Maternity Emergency High as the present birth rate is. it is expected to become even higher during the next few months. The situation is so grave as to be called a national maternity emergency and :n view of the unprecedented amount of work ahead of it, the society must be prepared to meet the need. Although increased grants have been received from the Government, the society still depends on the public for support, monetary and otherwise, as it has done in the past. As was explained by Mrs James Begg in a broadcast address on Wednesday night, the new grants from the Government will be swallowed up by the increasing expenditure of the society due to rising costs and extra work. As an instance, the Plunket nurses who are a highly qualified body of women, have had long overdue increases in salaries. This and other factors make it vital to the society that it gets public support. Appeal To-day To this end, the Plunket Society will to-day make its annual . “Daffodil Day ” appeal to the public for funds to ’carry on its excellent work, and it is hoped the public will contribute generously to this worthy cause. Spring flowers will be sold at street corners, collectors will be active, and a shop near Arthur Barnett’s, George street, will sell goods.