HELP FOR MOTHERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14053, 10 November 1909, Page 3

HELP FOR MOTHERS.

IN TilK BACK-BLOCKS

The following letter has been addressed to the liovernment by the Canterbury N'omen's institute. The members of the \\ omen's Institute desire to approach you on a matter of wide importance to the life and health of the people of New Zealand. We are in |Mjssessioii of string personal evidence that the function of childbirth in outlying country districts is often accompanied by grave difficulties and dangers such as do not exist in town, centres. The passing of the oldfashioned nurse and the arrival of the highly-specialised maternity nurse have caused serious difficulties for country women in procuring proper attention and service during the most critical and perilous time of their lives. The old type of unregistered nurse is becoming extinct through wise legislation, and the new type is not yet sufficiently plentiful to reach all the furthest corners of the dominion; hence a certain dislocation.

In view of the increasing importance attached by all thinking persons to the function of motherhood and its extensive influence on national life, we venture tr* call your attention to certain injurious effects arising from distressed motherhood and then to suggest measures that might remove the evils: —(1) Refusal of child-bearing. If child-birth be attended by grave difficulties and dangers over and above what the usual natural function necessitates, then women will seek to avoid and prevent it. Kesult, a loss of vital wealth to the community. (2) The mental anguish and distress of the woman expecting child-birth without full attention and services may react on the unborn child, producing in it undesirable characteristics. Result, a weakling thrown on the State. (3) Difficulties and worries attendant on child-birth often have disastrous effects upon a woman's mental and physical health, thereby weakening her moral influence and control over her young family. Result,- neglected childhood, a distinct danger to the nation. Dr. Sajeeby, of Eugenic fame, says: "In clays to come the value of the maternal function will be more adequately appreciated by society, and thus a great difficulty under which women labour will be removed. It will, be perceived, for iiMtance, that the pregnant woman is already performing arduous work of supreme importance, and she will be expected to perform no more." "I venture to predict." continues the doctor, "that a part of the practical religion of the future will consist in something not far short of the apotheosis of maternity."

We bee therefore, to suggest:—(l) The establishment of St. Helens Maternity Homes "in country towns. (2) Stat«» subsidy to maternity nurses attending cases in outlying country districts, such subsidy to be granted where the husband's income is the same, or thereabouts, as that of the T"en whose wives are eligible for St. Helens Institutions. (3) State premium or bonus to the mother on the birth of each child, subject, of course, to certain conditions. We feel convinced that on the above subject the Government of New Zealand will find amnio scone for iust and humane administration, and th" reward reaped hy the community will. lie a stronger womanhood and a healthier and happier childhood.