OUR BABIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3024, 10 March 1917, Page 5

OUR BABIES

THY HYGEIA.I Published under tho 'auspicc3 of the Royal New Zealand Society for tho Health of Women and Children. It is wiser to put a fence at tho top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom." THE SOCIETY'S GENERAL CONFERENCE. . This is the tenth year of the Plunket society s existence, and the four days' conference held in Wellington (February 4) to 23) marks an important stage in tlie history and work of the organisation. At the opening meeting Mr. Luke, the Alayor of Wellington, spoke in glowing terms of what had been achieved, and of the public confidence and appreciation ielt not only throughout the Dominion, but which had extended to other porta of the world. Dr - 'I'ruby King enlarged on tho same tneme. He showed by quotations from a Bulletin issued by the United States Government at Washington how much impressed the American authorities were with the scheme which has. been evolved m Now Zealand for helping and teaching the mothers and saving the babies. This Bulletin' was dovoted to a detailed account of tho society's history, work, rules, otc, and the authorities commended it to the favourable consideration of the American people. Dr. King then ief erred to the Old World, and showed what an intimate knowledge of and interest in the .society's aims and doings w N as manifested on the Continent and in-England. One point of special interest iu this couneotion was

a appreciation by Alderman Broadbent, of iluddersfi&ld, who, at tho Imperial Health CoßgTess, held in London just before tho war, referred to the Plunket Society's voluntary work, carried out under Government sanction,, approval, and support, as being the one instance of the practical development of infant welfare work on national lines—linos which, he said, would have to receive caTeful study and attention before making any attempt to nationalise the care of mother and child in England. The rest of the address dealt mainly with the remarkable fact that all over the civilised world Governmental authorities had shown almost no interest in tho rearing and training of tho child uip to five or six years of age—not spending Is. a year on it, and then, when it camo of school nge, suddenly commencing to spend an average of ,£5 or more a year on oyory child in the way of freo education. It was pointed out that t'lio child was made or marred in tho first five years of life, and that, so far as national efficiency was concerned, whether*ouo was considering boys or girls, tho first five years wcro a far more important consideration for tho State than ,tlio _ next 10 years. Tho structure and ctiicioncy of jaws, teeth, frame, mid even tho brain itself wero mainly determined beforo school age. Tho only way to abolish feoblo jaws, bad teeth, adenoids, indigestion, consumption, and all our main diseases was to atend to the mothers and to tho race in tho nursory stage. National health and efficiency was a question of rearing and training. The last three days of tho Congress were mainly taken up with questions bearing on the best way to carry on the society's mission throughout its eecond decade in the progressive spirit which had characterised its first 10 years. In this connection attention centred mainly on the all-important question of whether tho society was to retain its voluntary character as an organisation evolved for the health and welfare of women and children, and run by committees of women imbued by a deep and intimate personal interest in home life, or whether it was to be run rather under State direction from a bureau in Wellington.

The conference consisted of some 40 delegates from branches all over the Dominion, and the unanimous opinion oxpressed was entirely in favour of a continuance of the existing liappy form of relationship between, the State and the society, the society being trusted to carry out the work omits own lines, with State encouragement, and helped pecuniarily by Government subsidies. The strongest opinions were expressed tliat if the branches were made subject to direct Government contvol and run on official lines, the voluntary element would soon disappear, public interest and enthusiasm would be extinguished, and no more donations or bequests would come

( in. ■ A deputation to the members of Cabinet present in Wellington, introduced by Mr. Young, M.P. for Waikato, was most favourably received Mr. Young stated the society's position very ably and forcibly, and Sir James Allen, the Acting Prime Minister, in replying, assured tne deputation that he- had no doubt that the sympathy and support which had been accorded to the society by each successive Government would always be 'continued. He spoke very appreciatively not only of the great service done for the health of mother and child, but also of the elevating- and broadening influence which ho had hiin.eelf noticed that the carrying on of the society's mission exercised over the members of the various committees, who unselfishly devoted themselves to this truly 'national work. , The Hon. G. W. Eussell, Minister of Public Health, confirmed Sir James Allen's assurances, and said it was his intention to grant the Eociot/s additional subsidies for Plunket Nurses.

A woman's trouble and how to overcomo iti Not one woman, but U'.oiisanoe of women, suffer keenly from superfluous hair and its disfigurement. "Rusma" is the harmless aid simple method of freeing yourself entirely ar,d surely from this distressing; trouble. "Knsma' hae beon known to cure after many failures and repeated disappointments, and it can be used in the privacy of your own home without the slightest inconvenience. "Busma" completely banishes all superfluous hair, which r.ever reWrite to lira. Hullcu, next Plunket Nurses' Department, 3 C-artena; Place, WeltiEgton.-Advt.

Baggage, etc.! My dear fellow, you don't catch me bothering myself wlien the New Zealand Express Cc. will check it for me! They collect, chock by train or boat, and deliver immediately. Saves me a world of trouble. Eemember their address: 87-91 Customhouse Quay.—Advt.

Tho Ladiees' Auxiliary of the Novy League acknowledges with thanks parcels of warm clothing for tho lessor auxiliary craft of tho fleet from Miss Foivlor. SPECIAL TREATMENTS AT MRS. ROLLESTON'S. For falling hair, dandruff, or premature greyness. Courses of treatment, including hand, vibro, and electrical massage, clipping and singeing, and shampooing. One Guinea. For improving the colour and lustre of the hair, Henna Shampooing, 7s. 6d. For improving the growth and preventing the hair falling, Shampooing with friction, is. 6d. For strengthening the growth, Clipping ami . Singeing, "is. 6d. For improving the complexion, rempving and preventing wrinkles, eradicating blackheads, Courses of Face Treatments, One Guinea. For the permanent removal of superfluous hair by Electrolysis, per halfhour Treatments, ss. Special Preparations for Hair and Face Home Treatments. Combings made up, 2s. Gd. oz. Switches, Transformations, Toupees, and every design in hairwork at English prices. Mrs. RoHcston, 256 Lambton Quay.— Advt.