The Gisborne Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1908. GISBORNE MATERNITY HOME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2215, 12 June 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1908. GISBORNE MATERNITY HOME.

The movement that lias been taken up recently by a number o-f Gisborne ladies for the establishment of a Maternity Homo is one that should meet with the hearty support of all thoso who wish well to the community. One of the last acts of the late Mr. Seddon was to recognise the responsibility of the State in regard’ to the oare of infant life, and the establishment of national maternity homes in the chief centres constituted a pieco of humanitarian legislation which will always stand to the credit of the decoded statesman. It is recognised by all that the circumstances under which a child passes the first stages of its infantile existence must necessarily have an important bearing upon its future welfare, but only those who have made it their business to thoroughly investigate the facts have any conception- of the wretched, not to say cruel, conditions under which a large proportion of mothers aro called upon to care for their new-born babes. Civilisation has long since discarded the Spartan theory that the weakest must go to the wall, and that being the case it is certainly to the interests of the State to see that every child born in the Dominion is reared under such circumstances that' there is a reasonable prospect of its becoming a useful citizen. To disregard such responsibility is simply to perpetuate the causes which have in the past filled our gaols, lunatic asylums, old men’s homes, and other charitable institutions. It is not, of course, quite practicable to do all that should be done in this respect, ■ but it is possible to so- arrange that during the first few months of a child’6 existence it shall receive fair treatment, and thus gain the strength with which to fight the battle of' life. Even in Gisborne there aro scores of mothers living under conditions which make it quite impossible lor them to -rear children in a way that would satisfy anyone with a knowledge of the subject. One has only to imagine a typical case, the wife of a laborer earning an ordinary laborer’s wages. With a young family already around lior, she brings another child into tho world that certainly scorns very loth to receive it. Her house, if it be an average worker’s cottage, is provided with scarcely any conveniences, and is entirely •unsuited for occupation by ono in delicate health, whilst tho worry of tho other children at a time when a complete rest should- be the first consideration is almost distracting. Moreover, beforo tho mother has had anything like a reasonable opportunity of recovering her health and strength she is simply compelled to leave lier bed, assume once more the active cares of tho household, and take up again what is in verity “tho burden of life.” Such a woman cannot afford the luxury of a temporary stay at a professional nursing institution, and even if she could she cannot leave her- home. Therefore she obtains such meagre assistance as she can afford to pay for at her own home, and somehow or other 6lio manages to drag till rough the most trying period of a. woman’s life. But at what heroic sacrifice of human energy, what iuteusjty of suffering, and what

■ niarlyr-llltp courage I Tho task Ip too groat and the cost too severe, not only to tho mother, hut also to the child, whoso existence dopends upon tho ability of its mother to properly J care for it during those first few critical months. In tho Maternity Homo for which funds aro now being solicited, an answer is given to the problom which has for long presented itself. Such n mother as ,wo have just depicted could ho taken into the homo for such period as was necessary there to rocoivo tho best niodionl attention and nursing, whilst the management of the Home would also inako arrangements for tho care of Ui» family. Thus, under favorable surroundings and with her mind freed

From anxiety concerning her ordinary household cares, 'the mother would recoivo the care and consideration which are absolutely necessary for tlho future welfare of both herself and her offspring. ‘There is no question nut that tho movement which lias Leon initiated by tho Government in the largo centres will ultimately spread throughout the Dominion, and it is exceedingly satisfactory to .note that Gisborno is likely to give a load to tho smaller towns. Tho Government has promised a- site for tlho proposed Jtlomo, and tho members of tho Women’s Guild are at present seeking funds for tho erection of the building and its furnishing, and ai'vo for its initial maintenance. It is anticipated that it will subsequently become .self-supportiig, for moderate fees will bo charged to ltl who aro in a position to pay, but even if it should remain a permanent charge upon the community, tho amount of the Joss incurred would lie money well spent.