The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1938 A BUILDER

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20421, 11 February 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1938 A BUILDER

The death of Sir Truby King removes one who had played a wonderful part in the service of the State. A man of great mental energy, capable of imparting his enthusiasm to others, he worked with directness of purpose to ensure for the mothers and children of the Dominion a full measure of health and strength. He was a builder in the true sense. The movement which he started years ago has become a great organisation, and the methods which, under his direction, it has evolved have been copied by many countries. Demands for the services of nurses trained in infant welfare work by the Piunket Society have come from very many countries, and if to-day the infant mortality rate in New Zealand is the lowest in the world —and in 1932-36 it was only 32 per thousand births compared with 41 in Australia, 61 at Home and 75 in Canada —that proud position has been reached, by virtue of the work -which Sir Truby King inaugurated and directed for so many years. His enthusiasm was contagious. Anything in which he took an interest was bound to have his full support, and he was privileged to see his work grow, and its beneficent effects spread. That was his reward, but it did not lesson his ardour. His name will be forever linked with the work of the Piunket Society, but his passing means a great loss to a wide circle of friends. He was a brilliant conversationalist, interested in art and many other subjects. His comment could be keen, but there was always a willingness to help, and a sympathy that never failed. The Dominion is the poorer because of his death, but he had lived a well-rounded life, had rendered the country magnificent service and had established an organisation that down the years will continue to play its part in the building of a strong nation.