PLUNKET SYSTEM

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3040, 3 April 1923, Page 3

PLUNKET SYSTEM

WHERE NEW ZEALAND LEADS A comprehensive report on infant mortality has been published by the Children's Bureau of Washington. The highest death-rate is in Chile, where 306 of every thousand babies die in their first year—or nearly one out of every three.. That was the figure in 1919; next came Hungary '264 per 1000, Japan 184, Spain 188, and then, in spite of her boasted efficiency and social measures, Germany, with a deathrate of 245 per 1000. The mortality rates in other countries are: France 119, Scotland 102, Denmark 92, Eng land and Wales 89, Ireland SS, the United States 87, Switzerland 82, the Netherlands 80, and Norway 64. "But when Ainericans cast thoil fcyes in the direction of {he Antipodes their complacency suffers a certain shock," says the World's Work, "Australia loses only 09 out of every thousand babies; born, while New Zealand loses only i.o. This last record is the marvel' of the whole investigation. That natural conditions, especially the climate, arc favourable, is vproktMy true? but these do not explain the reCOi'd, of explain it only in part. . . . The present favourable exhibit is the result of a conscientious effort of New Zealand to protect the young. Jknd. in this circumstance lies the value of their experience to the United States." The writer proceeds to describe the work of the Plunkct Society during the last 16 years— in which period the mortality has been reduced from 69 to 45—and says "it has unquestionably been the greatest single factor in this diminution." He also refers to the various Government mea sures for the protection and assistance of maternity, and concludes: "In a Word New Zealand and its Government are engaging in a warfare somewhat more enlightened than that which has recently engaged the energies of mankind. It is determined to stamp out the causes that bring about the death of babies, so far as human ingenuity can do so. The success with which it is meeting is perhaps the greatest lesson that this little Dominion can teach the world at the present time. The United States— although it must be remembered that oar record is not as bad as that of most countries—should only too gladly sit at New Zealand's feet."