PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14892, 15 October 1918, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

The monthly committee meeting of the Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon! . Fifteen members were present, and Mrs Buchanan presided. Monthly accounts (£l9 Is 3d) were passed for payment.

A satisfactory report" was received from Nurse Thompson, tlie attendance at the rooms being good, and the health of the babies normal; 147 cases are now under treatment. Visits have been paid to Richmond, Wakefield, Brightwater, and Motueka.

The minutes of the last Central Council meeting were read, which included n letter from the Minister for Public Health, proposing to grant a sxibsicty for this year of £3000 (instead of the £4400 which' would naturally be given on the basis of £100 for each Plunket nurse), on the ground that the Plunket Society as a whole has sufficient funds in hand for the year's work; the £Souo to be distributed amongst the poorer branches at the council's discretion. The council in its reply protested against this proposal as being a breach of the promise made by tiie Government to rhe Plunket Society, as penalising the branches which have done most work, and as hindering work which is deemed 1-0 be of national importance. After discussion of these letters, it "was resolved that the secretary, in acknowledging • them, should inform the council that a deputation had waited upon, the member for Nelson concerning the.matter, and had received a promise of his support. . The Council proposes that a Dominion Baby Day be held annually at •the end of February; brandies to make their own arrangements.

The council acknowledged receipt of Mrs Truby King's paper" on "Care of Infant Life," to be read at the Australian Conference.

Suggestions were made for Nurse Thompson's holiday to be before Christmas if possible, the secretary to write inquiring about a relieving nurse. There was some discussion regarding a rest-room on the showgrounds on November 20th, and it was decided that

tne president and- the secretary, and any of the committee vfho could do so, should accompany. Nurse Thompson on her visit to Richmond on November 6th to make arrangements, and that, if possible, a piublic meeting should be held that afternoon to arouse greater interest in the society's work. A letter was read from the secretary of the National Council of Women in South Africa, asking for information and some of the society's literature. A letter has also been received from Simla, with a request for copies of the books published by the Plunket Society.