PLUNKET APPEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1935, Page 4

PLUNKET APPEAL

“BABY DAY” AT NEW PLYMOUTH. PUBLIC SUPPORT OF GOOD WORK. To-day the local branch of the Plunket Society will make its general appeal to the public of New Plymouth and surrounding districts for funds wherewith to carry on the grea 2 work of the society. Official statistics, public health officials and the testimony of many parents could all be quoted as evidence of the value and efficiency of the society’s work. But the best testimony of all lies in the hundreds of children who through that work have received a better chance of growing up with sound constitutions, sometimes in spite of untoward circumstances, than they could have received but for the aid rendered to them by the Plunket Society. So far as administration is concerned the society relies entirely upon voluntary assistance, and only those who have been intimately acquainted with its functions know the sacrifice ox leisure and of money that has been accepted cheerfully by those responsible for the control of “Plunket” activities. But there are functions for which expenditure is imperative, for it must be remembered that the assistance to be given is judged by one standard only the needs of mothers and children. In times of economic stress the number of those who must receive such aid without contribution towards its cost is bound to increase, and the demands upon the society for this reason, and because of the success it has achieved, show no signs of slackening in the districts in which to-day’s appeal foi‘ support will be made. . Those to whom the appeal ( is made may be assured that the need is . great, that the utmost prudence is used in administering the funds, and that the results achieved warrant the fullest extension of the society’s operations that resources will permit. There is the further point to i-emember, namely, that the funds obtained in any district are used for the benefit of mothers and children in that district. Hitherto the public of New Plymouth and its environs have responded to the society’s appeal with willing generosity. There is every reason to believe that to-day’s appeal will meet with a similar reception.