THE WAIPA POST. Printed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. TUESDAY, 2nd JUNE, 1931. THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3304, 2 June 1931, Page 4

THE WAIPA POST. Printed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. TUESDAY, 2nd JUNE, 1931. THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

WHEN mention is made of the name, “ the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children ” there is little realisation of what the organisation is, but if it is explained that that is the real title of the “ Plunket Society ” it is readily conceded that the organisation stands high in the opinion of practically every member of the community. Te Awamutu’s branch has for several years been a very lively body, and it is satisfactory to note that interest seems to be fairly well maintained. Finance is not the bug-bear nowadays that it was, thanks to the very successful carnival promoted two or three years ago, by which a substantial amount was provided. But the executive, with commendable endeavour, has sought to make ends meet without drawing too heavily on that fund. Indeed, a worthy objective should be to keep the principle intact, and use the interest (the money is soundly invested, we understand) to supplement funds obtained from other sources to maintain the branch’s activities and pay the calls made upon it from Dominion headquarters. It was recently stated that the subsidy from the Government would have to be curtailed rather drastically—at least for a year or so; but that is owing to circumstances over which the Society has no control. We hope that the same close attention to the financial position will be observed in the year just being entered upon as in the past, and that all members will loyally support their officers. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the annual meeting of the local branch takes place on Thursday afternoon, and if there is one organisation in this town and district for which we find greater pleasure in saying a good word for it is the Plunket Society. Anyone who views life in the right perspective must realise that the Plunket Society is doing work of an incomparable value and it is a purely unselfish and national work. It will be noted that the majority of those who take the keenest interest in the work of the Society are women who do not need the services made available and their work can be regarded as unselfish and in the interests of humanity and the country at large. Few pause to think of the value of the work that is being done and when the Plunket Society comes before the public for that little bit of assistance that, perforce, it must have (foxnothing can succeed without money), the appeal is regarded in the same way as those made by the multitudinous organisations who wait, cap in hand, on the free and reluctant giver who has little regard to the work to which his gift shall be a contribution and gives merely because he is asked. But what nobler work could engage the attention that the care of women and children? In these days when the worth of everything is measured by statistics we are apt to get false ideas of values and we fail to take into account something that cannot be expressed in figures and permits of no comparison.

The Plunket Society is dealing with something the value of which cannot be. assessed or expressed in mathematical or exact terms. It is dealing with human life in its most important stages—the helpless babe and the inexperienced mother. It is out to teach, to guide, to help, to relieve suffering, and only those who have benefited are able to assess at their true value the services given. The public generally know that infant mortality has been reduced but there are many facts of supreme importance to the country of which they know nothing and for which the Plunket Society deserves all the credit. It is impossible to praise too highly the self-sacrificing work that is being done. It is a work that only a few can do but there is a way in which the whole of the public can help and show appreciation. The Society needs funds and for its finance it must rely to a large extent upon public generosity.

We have not yet had the opportunity of perusing the local branch’s balance-sheet, but it is presumed that the credit available has been reduced somewhat. We counsel a continuance of effort to avoid cutting too deeply into the available funds, for that way lies disaster, and in the branch’s needs there is an opportunity for well disposed people to find tangible expresesion of their charity or humanity. The bi'anch withholds nothing from the public and at its annual meeting to be held on Thursday afternoon a full statement of the past year’s activities will be made. The Plunket Society, unlike many other organisations, takes'the public into its confidence, and all its affairs are open to the closest investigation.