CHILD WELFARE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1924, Page 4

CHILD WELFARE.

IM.CNKKT SOCIKTY AYOIiK. WKIXJNGTOX, -Septemlier I. A deputation from, the I’lunkot Soeiety’s Conference waited on the Prime Minister and the .Minister of Health to '.isle for various grants and .subsidies In assist the work of the society. Mr .1. A. Young M.l’., who intro dined the deputation, mentioned that the society had prepared a scheme for dealing with the question of maternal mortality, which, it was fell, would he acceptable to the Minister of .Health. It was very necessary that there should he co-ordination in various aspects of child welfare work, partienarly regarding the prenatal period and immediately alter the child was Imrn. To that end the society was proposing to creel an institution in which intensive and up-to-date training could he given to those who desired to become maternity nurses. Mr Young said that the sum of Ci;i,o(!2 10s was risked in the way uf subsidies for various branches of the society’s work. The permanent building, which it was desired to creel in which to give maternity nurses one month of extensive training, would cost 112.000. while C.'HM) would he required for its equipment alld maintenance charges would amount to Clot HI. It was asked that a grant should ho put on the Kstimatc- on account of the sum of Tl'i.OOO mentioned, so that the work could lie commenced immediately. Amongst other requests was one for CoflO, n building gram towards the Kariiane Hospital, Christchurch, and a subsidy of 022" i towards the salary of an assistant for the Director of I’lunket Nursing. Mrs Johnson, of Dunedin, president of Hie society, briefly staled the desire of the society was to help the women of the Dominion. ,Dr Truhy King, Director ol Child. Welfare, said he was satisfied that, it a tour.se of training for midwives could lie carried out in the next few years, it would mean a reduction of infant mortality in this country oT from .11)0 to ol It) a year. The institution spoken of would play a most important part in the training of medical students, and would l.e of considerable value in assisting in the training ol those who were taking a domestic science course at the university. The Prime Minister spoke highly ol the work of the society, hut reminded the deputation of a passage of Scripture which, lie thought, it was his duly to call their attention to: •• 11.-uare when all men speak well ol you.” If that statement applied to the soeictv whose good work was being praised, then he should say that it was in very serious danger. (Laughter.) lie included l)r Truhy King in llm-e remarks because, as a matter ol tact, the doings of the Pluukel Society were being trumpeted from the housetops, lie did not know how many eoioniiniieations he had received in the hist month or two, mostly oil account of money. (Laughter.) He thought that the Pluukel Society had been pretty successful with the present Finance .Minister, and lie presumed that that was one reason why additional money was being asked for on the present occasion. The total amount asked for by the deputation was L’.'i2.7 Id. lie had no doubt that, if the money could lie found, it would serve a very nseiiil purpose. If members of the society could he successful ill the saving of life (hen each and every one of them deserved a nioMiinient lo lie erected lo their memory. Dr Truhy King had been a leader in the work ol the society right through, and lie hoped that lie would he so for many years t-i come. Mr Masscv said his difliciilLy was in finding the money. “I have ionic to the conclusion that it is a very had thing to have a surplus." he remarked ainLl i lan; .life i. “I thiol, it b a inn 1 llltwi-o tilin'. It 11. l 1 ,1 oil ■; !l I 111,

Mr Mas-ev said bis difficulty was in finding the money. "I have ionic to the conclusion that it is a very hail thing to have a sun,lus.” he remarked ant'd i laughtc i. "I think it Lnmo 1 iiiiw,... tliiii" It ha to.to hi lb. whole population dow II nil me I o ask me to share ilia! money, loil it i- not there, it. is all gone, although money for the current year is coming in.”

With regard to the request ol the deputation that would have to lie considered by Cabinet and voted on by the House. He could lint, therefore, nvike any definite promise, but could only say that where human life was in\nlved it must he the first consideration. lie had not the slightest doubt hut Unit members of (nUnel and Parliament would recognise wlinl the society. had done and what it proposed to do, and would do what they possibly could for the organisation.