MAORI INFANT MORTALITY

Chronicle (Levin), 18 April 1946, Page 3

MAORI INFANT MORTALITY

PLUNKET SOCIETY CONCERNED Concern at the liigli infant mortality of the Maoris was expressed at the Do*miuLou rouncil meetiug of the Pluuket (Society iu Welliugtou last week, aud tho foilowing resolution was passed: — "That the .Pluuket (Society approach Ihe Health JDepartmeut with the viow to orgatiising a survey — commeuciug with oue Alaori district — to try to diseover thc factors contributiug to the high Mauri iufaut mortality, and to i-onsidcr ways and mcaus of improviug Ihe exisling unsatisfactory positiou. " ll was agreed at the couucii meeting Ihat the Pluuket (Society should accede to a requcst from the New Zealand Obstelrical and Gyuaecological Society to appoint a reproseutative to be associated wilh Dr. Mary Douglas, Hamilton, and Dr. Doris Gordon in makiug a rapid survey of the existing maternity services as so many small maternity hospitals wero closiug down. Kecomineudation.s for tcmporary relief measures aud a long-tcrin policy to improvo tho stalliug conditious of the maternity services wero to be iucorporated in the Jinai report of Ihe committee. klrs. B. 11. Gilmour, Christchurch, was appninted Ihe Pluuket Society's representative on the committee. Mrs. J. Begg, Dominion president of the Pluuket Society, reported that the executive had expressed congratulations to Dr. Doris Gordon ou lier appointment gs 'Direclor of Malernal and Infant tV'^Lfare and oilered tho society 's cooperatiya with her in her important work. The foilowing resolution conveying the society 's apprcciation and fareweliing their" Excellcncies, Sir Cyril and Ladv Newall, was passcd:— "This confcrence of Ihe Boyal N.Z. Society for Ihe Health of Women and Children (Phmket Society) wishes to express its apprcciation of the infcerest in its work of their Excellencies, Sir Cyril Newall (patron) and Lady Newall, and of the services they have •endered to further the ..society Js work for thc mothers and babies of New Zealand. We wislv them a^afe Journey and a happy return to ^ their Homeland." ' .