HELP THE MOTHERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 10

HELP THE MOTHERS

A MOVEMENT OF NATIONAL VALUE

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN ASSIST

Tlic following circular issued by the Mothers' Help Division of tho AVomen's National liesei'vj) <loals with one of the most pressing of Iho domestic problems of (he hour:—

''There is m>' nioro pressing , iiatioual duly to-dny lliiin that of providing hel(> in , the'home, for harassed and overworked mothers of little~children. A small band of women mo working towirds ihis end. A start wjis made with voluntary workers about two months ago, but so very little can be' accomplished, by this, menus that it is a matter of lirgpiicy to have regular salaried workers who can • 'be sent to homes where help is so much needed. In order lo do this tho division must be in a position to gunrautee those salaries, and for this funds are required. "The majority of mothers needing this help are quite willing to pay for it, ljut in its initial singes (he whole scheme must ljo financed by the division. To '.•ommence, help can only be given in homes whore there are small children, ttml preference would be given to places where there were several. Already the division has bnd ninny appeals for help, and liils -'upon able io givo only a very limited response. Amongst these maybe quoted, the following cases:— "That of a professional man whose, wife v.'as ill; anil there was a small baby anil other children. The work had. to be done by. the father after he eaino home.

"Two families in the suburbs, both having four little children and a young baby, could get no help except the small amount given by the division.

"The mother of a family- of six children had 110 lime to do their fflwing and, could get only tho help given by the division.

"A profession. , )] man whose ■ wifo has been ill for a considerable time, lias to leave his wifo iii.ljctl with a tiny child, plnying. as well ns it: can. . Here also tho father, has io do the work rs well as he can, including 11m washing.' ".Appeals■lμve come from tho Phinkot Nurses for help for expectant mothers, who already; have small children, an<} wlio are in danger of nervous breakdown, because they cartnot got help. Thero are dozen? of others equally urgent. One could go .. ou indefinitely enumerating. ''■■'' i "To sin ft three ivorkera thp division re. ciuires..t?.ftO. ]S : o initriotic i-ffort in New Zealand ?o fjir lias had to ask in vain. We feel tlmt tliie work, which lies at the very root of tho national life, shouW make a. special appeal to. all those m whom the patriotic spirit is alivo to-day. "Subscription!! may bo sent to "AIKS. E. HADFIELD. ■ ■ .. . . _ "Hill Street, City." •