PLUNKET SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 23696, 2 October 1940, Page 8

PLUNKET SOCIETY

DUNEDIN BRANCH The annual report of the Dunedin branch of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children states: “ The past year has been a memorable one in the history of the society owing to the tragic outbreak of war —a war which will vitally affect the destiny of the British Empire and of the world. For the second time in the history of our society we face the difficulties that must confront a voluntary society at such a time. From our experience gained in the Great War of 1914-18 we may face those difficulties with confidence in the knowledge that this society emerged from that great time of trial stronger and greater than before it. While Great Britain and her dominions and their allies must bend all their energies to the task of defeating Hitlerism, it would still bo shortsighted to relax our efforts on behalf of our children, who represent the future of the British Empire and of our race. “ It is in defence of that future that the lives of out gallant airmen, soldiers, and sailors, and indeed of the 1 ordinary men, women, and children of Great Britain, are being poured out like water at this present moment, and it is due to them that we keep faith with them and work unremittingly for their wives and babies. In' recognition of the debt we owe we appeal confidently to the citizens of,Dunedin, in spite of our recognition of the many other calls upon their purses, to continue and even to increase their previous generous donations so that the society may give, through its Plunket and Karitane nurses, understanding help to the young wives whose husbands have gone overseas. “ The war has overshadowed two important events in the history of the Dunedin branch—the opening of the new Truby King Harris Hospital at Anderson’s Bay and the removal of the Plunket rooms from Princes street to muyh more commodious premises at 346 George street. “ We are indebted to the committee of the charity ball for one-third of the proceeds for our work. We tender our grateful thanks for the substantial sum of £llb 3s 2d. “ During this year the Plunket Society made application to the Government for recognition of its Karitane hospitals as approved institutions for payment of social security benefits. This application was granted. The effect of this recognition is ■mt the society’s hospitals now give free treatment to mothers and babies who are admitted on the recommendation of a doctor The committee would emphasise that the social security payments replace the previous grant from the Consolidated Fund paid to it by the Government in recognition of the free treatment previously given at our hospitals to those who were not in a position to pay. “ The social security payments do not

meet the financial needs of the hospital, and it is still necessary to appeal to the public to continue its generous support to enable this great national work to go on without curtailment. Wo. appeal particularly to tho parents who receive the direct benefits to make donations to assist in making up the deficiency. The committee of the Dunedin branch is confident that the citizens of Dunedin will adequately recognise, as they have done in the past, the value and importance of this great voluntary society, of which New Zealand is so justly proud. “ Daffodil Day was held on Friday, October 13, 1939, and the takings exceeded those of any other year, £554 9s Id bring raised. This was particularly gratifying to the committee in view of the fact that this sale and collection was held so soon after the outbreak of war. SOCIETY’S FINANCES. “ The balance sheet as at March 31, 1940, showed the value of the assets of the Dunedin branch of the society at £36,890 13s 4d. “ The branch’s endowment fund at March 31, 1940. stood at £14,307 5s 2d. It is the committee’s aim to build this fund up to £20,000. “ Accretions to the Truby King Harris building fund during the year amounted to £499 14s sd, making the total amount collected £17,182 0s 7d at the close of the financial year. “ Payments on account of the new building at March 31, 1940, amounted to £17,738 7s°Hd, and on account of fhrnishings for the now hospital to £853 Bs. “The sum of £76 4s lOd was expended on new Plunket room furnishings and equipment during the year.”