CARE OF BABIES

Southland Times, Issue 20016, 2 November 1926, Page 10

CARE OF BABIES

INFANTILE MORALITY IN AMERICA. San Francisco, September 13. Another high tribute to New Zealand has' been paid publicly by the United States in a discussion of world infantile mortality, which came under observation at an important gathering held in San Francisco, when Miss Grace Abbott, chief of the United States Children’s Bureau, spoke at a luncheon given in her honour at the Hotel St. Francis by the San Francisco Centre in co-operation with the Community Chest, the Social Workers’ Alliance, and the Baby Hygiene Committee of the American Association of United Women. “I am eager for a new standard in regard to the health of children to come out. of the west of America,” said Miss Abbott, “just as has come from the west the great new vision of education with equality of opportunity for all. It is the result of the pioneering spirit, for the pioneer believed he could do anything. Sometimes he was ridiculous in his belief, but nevertheless it was a great driving force which sped him on to accomplishment.

“It is not the richest State or country which does the most for its children, but the one which cares the most. If the needs of children were really known in this rich country of ours there would be plenty of money forthcoming to meet them, for the claim of the child is irresistible. Therefore, it is not so important for the Bureau to make investigations as it is that people should read about those that it has made. Much more necessary than the money we want for our cause is the understanding we get. It is far more gainful that what is good for the child be attained than that our organisation should continue in any one set form. There is no crop in California like its children, the one for which it will really be known the world over.”

Miss Abbott amused her audience by likening her part in the national programme to the wheeling of a baby carriage in the great traffic parade to the national capital of ammunition waggons, guns, commercial motor trucks, high-powered automobiles, and the various other trappings of commerce, business and war. “We have an infant death rate of 200,000 a year in this country,” she added, “twice as high as that of New Zealand. We claim that we have greater good-will, intelligence and medical skill than New Zealand, and yet New Zealand gives us no rest but keeps its death rate going down and down. Our present rate fluctuates around 70 per cent. It used to be 100. The lowest in the country is 50. We hope to establish a new lower level.”