DR E. H. WILLIAMS WAS DISCIPLE OF SIR TRUBY KING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 8

DR E. H. WILLIAMS WAS DISCIPLE OF SIR TRUBY KING

“He was, a most entertaining companion, a very lovable man and an intellectual giant,” said Dr E. H. Williams at a gathering held in Dunedin- yesterday in honour of the founder of the Plunket Society, Sir Truby King. The meeting had a two-fold purpose—to pay a tribute to the founder of the movement and to recognise the services to the Plunket movement by Dr Williams, who has retired from the position of senior physician at the Dunedin Karitane Hospital after 41 years of service. The president of the Dunedin branch of the Plunket Society, Mrs L. F. Cleghorn, presented Dr Williams with a framed picture of the Dunedin Karitane Hospital.

Mrs Cleghorn said that Sir Truby King’s name was revered and honoured, not only in New Zealand, but in many parts of the British Empire. Welcoming the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron, and Lady Cameron, Mrs Cleghorn extended best wishes from the society for their approaching visit to Scotland. Mrs Cleghorn presented Lady Cameron with a bouquet The Dominion president of the society, Mrs James Begg. said that it was 42 years since Sir Truby had thrown out his amazing challenge to to women of New Zealand. By looking around New Zealand to-day, and seeing the work that the society was doing, it would be agreed that both those who had founded the society and those who had followed on had answered the challenge, Mrs Begg said. A great challenge, however, remained to-day in trying to meet the needs of the young mother in the community who was under the greatest Dossible burden. Paying her tribute to Dr Williams, Dr Helen Deem, medical adviser to the Plunket Society, said that he was one of Sir Truby King's disciples who had done so much for the welfare of small children. Many people, perhaps, did not realise what Dr Williams had done for the children. He had really witnessed the birth of the Plunket Society and been with it, through its ups and downs. “It really needed some one to. take a stand in the early days when Dr Williams took his post at the Dunedin Karitane Hospital,” Dr Deem said. “At a difficult time he acted as liaison officer between the medical profession and the Plunket Society. Dr Deem reminded her listeners that Dr Williams had engineered the idea that medical students in their final year should spend some time at the Karitane Hospital to learn about child nurture and mothercraft. It was his vision that led to an important phase of medical training. “I have been greatly privileged to serve with Dr Williams,” the speaker said. “He has always retained his youth—in fact, he is an inspiration to youth and he does practise what he Replying, Dr Williams said he was “far from decrepit,” and in deciding to retire, he had considered that it was fair to the younger men that he should step aside for them. Remarking that he was with Sir Truby King when “ that wonderful crusade ” started at Anderson’s Bay. Dr Williams said he had served as liaison officer between his fellow medical oeople in Dunedin and Dr King at a time when the theories of the founder of the Plunket Society movement were not accepted by the medical profession. “ But by a gradual process.” Dr Williams added, “ the medical profession came to see that the society’s work was a help and not an interference as the medical profession thought at that time.” . Paying a tribute to Dr Williams’s work in teaching about children’s diseases at the Otago Medical School for many years, the dean of the medical faculty, Sir Charles Hercus, said there was a great need for some voluntary effort, to assist young mothers in facing their onerous duties. “That is a great challenge and a great opportunity to serve,” , Sir Charles said. Other speakers were Dr A. R. Falconer and Dr N. H. North.