“BOSE DAY” APPEAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18718, 6 November 1930, Page 8

“BOSE DAY” APPEAL.

Such whole-hearted support is invariably accorded the annual appeal of the Timaru branch of the New Zealand Society which aims at helping the mothers "and saving the babies, that no special pleading is needed to remind a host of sympathisers that the Society’s very existence is involved in the public's response. It is nevertheless worthy of mention, at this juncture, that New Zealand has the lowest rate of infant mortality in the world; a fact, The New Zealand Year Book says, attributable partly to such matters as climate, virility of the race, comparative absence of large industrial undertakings, etc., and partly to legislative and educative measures, the latter both by the State and by various organisations.” But not only has New Zealand had for many years the lowest rate of infant mortality in the world, but the rate for the Dominion has ' shown steady and rapid improvement, more particularly during the last twenty years. Much of the success achieved, the official records frankly admit, has been due to the activities of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children. Founded in Dunedin in 1907, the Society has since extended the Plunket system throughout New Zealand, and its methods are being adopted to an ever-increasing extent in other countries. The activities of the various branches of the Society has long since justified the high place it occupies in the good favour of the community, so much so, that the Government has recognised its work and provides a certain measure of financial assistance as the basis of support of its everincreasing range of activities. But the need for adequate funds necessitates an appeal being made each year, and to-morrow “Rose Day” will be held in the hope of securing that measure of financial assistance which will enable the good work to go on. Every year adds fresh obligations to organisations that render gratuitous social service, but the officials of the Timaru branch of the Society, which is more popularly known as the Plunket Society, uncomplainingly and even gladly undertake this essential service and capably discharge the onerous duties associated with a highly important national service. To-morrow’s appeal has everything to commend it to the generous-hearted public and we are sure that the national character of the work of the Society which has always made an effective appeal will inspire a spontaneous and liberal response.