PULLING THEIR WEIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 8

PULLING THEIR WEIGHT

MOTHERS & THE PLUNKET SOCIETY,

, (To the Editor.)

Sir,—A few days ago a letler was published in your columns from the Key. Canon Taylor, in which he stressed the necessity for the men who were being helped "pulling their weight" so that the public would not be discouraged from continuing to help those who really did "pull their weight." The same remarks apply to the women who are being helped in various ways, particularly by the Plunket Society, tfor it must be most discouraging tor the bands of earnest women who work all the year round .in the interest of mothers voluntarily for the Plunket Society to see such a poor response on the mothers' part to the fetes, etc., got up to provide funds to keep this wonderful service going. • .■■-..-

; At a recent garden party I, along with many others who have no personal benefits to gain from the Plunket Society attended, expecting to see a full compliment o£ pramrf with their interesting and ever fascinating occupants, but saw not one. The helpers at the stalls were comprised of young single women or older married .women with grown-up families, which is very good to see, as showing true interest in the cause. A gentleman had had a great trimming op and preparing of his beautiful grounds, he and. his wiie working hard on the day of the fete as well. The admission was only sixpence, which gave the visitor the privilege of roaming all round the pleasant gardens and getting the enjoyment of a wonderful view, but I did not see one mother a.nd baby there, the main body of the people attending were like the stallholders, young single people and the ojder ones who had no babies. : ' ' , , ■ ■ ' ■ • It may be argued that mothers with babies have not time to go to garden parties on Saturday afternoons, but I fear that we are becoming so mercenary that if there were something to be gained tune would have been found. I- think I am right in saying that on the table o£ the local branch of the Plunket Society is a box with ;the information, thereon that if every mother-attending-placed a penny in the box at each attendance the branch would be , self-supporting. ■: -■... As this is the season for 'garden functions, and- there - will probably ~be other generous garden owners who will-lend -their grounds, I trust that any mothers who. see this will bring then? own special •flowers along in: their prams, helping the cause, and pleasing those who love to have' a feast of the sight of these little buds opening- out in beauty at this lovely season of theyear. I may add that I am not a. Plunket worker or a beneficiary, but my sense of justice was "outraged: last Saturday by such.indifference on- the part of those for whom' it was held, particularly as the recipients of Plunket help are by no means drawn from the poorest clause's; baby is sometimes taken in mother's car and ; carried --in., mother's fur-coated or otherwise, well-dressed arms,- 1-!/ am,- etc:; i IT'S TIP TO'YOUi MO'THEEtS.