PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4561, 9 May 1923, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

■ « PROPOSAL TO FORM BRANCH. Yesterday afternoon an Inaugural meeting was held in the Coronation Chambers, and was well attended. The Mayoress (Mrs P. E. Brenan) presided, and briefly explained that the meeting had been called to give the mothers of Paeroa an opportjmity of deciding whether or not a subbranch of the Plunket Society should be formed, and also td hear first-hand information of the society’s activities in To Arolia and Thames. •, The Mayoress said it gave her great pleasure to introduce Mesdames A. Goi.don (President), Te A’oha, E. NMiller and Derrick, Thames, who had expressly journeyed to Paeroa to tell the mothers of the success and encouragement their respective branches had met witjii Mrs E. N. Miller, Mayoress of Thames, said it. was pleasing to see so many present. Her object in visiting Paeroa was to establish, if possible, a sub-branch in Paeroa. The help to young mothers would be invaluable, and she felt confident that ready support would be forthcoming as soon as .the people realised the aim .of the society. Mrs A. Gordon,, president of the Te Aroha branch of the society, said that a real misapprehension about® the Plunket Society existed. A Plunket nurse did not seek to supersede a doctor in any way. She simply assisted in the careful feeding and upbringing of children. New Zealand had often feen called God's Own Country, but tills did not apply as far as women were concerned. The women of New Zealand, generally speaking, had a very hard time of it. ' The speaker briefly outlined tin establishment of a sub-branch of the Plunket Society in Te Aroha. During the first year 260 babies had been seen, o.r received attention in some shape or form. During the second year nearly 2000 babies had passed through the Plunket. Society’s hands. Many people had shown a decided apathy to the Plunket system. This apathy was no doubt due to ignorance. Nowadays, most doctors were decidedly in favour of the Plunket system. There had been some opposition by doctors to Plunket nurses, but, generally speaking, this had been overcome by having competent and discreet nurses. The Plunket Society was first of all looked on as a fad; then it became a district movement, later a Dominion movement, and at the present time it. was a National affair. A branch had been established in London, and Princess Mary’s baby was to be brought up on Plunket lines. Another misapprehension that had existed about the society was that it had been said that the Plunket method was not partial to natural feeding of babies. Tn fact, it had been said that the society only encouraged artificial feeding.. This was not so: it was grossly incorrect. When natural feeding had not been possible the Plunket Society, did lay down a certain principle for feeding by using humanised milk. Great difficulty had been experienced in getting mothers to follow. Plunket instructions as regards the proper care and feeding of babies. If the ladies of Paeroa did decide to foim a sub-branch, continued the speaker, it would be necessary to cooperate' with the branches in Thames and Te Aroha. The speaker asked the ladies of Paeroa to give the Plunket Society a trial. There would be no great difficulty in arranging for a district Plunket nurse to visit PaerOfi at least once a week. Results were tlie best recommendation any society could have. The Plunket movement had become widespread, and there was no possible doubt as to the success attained. ■ Mrs Derrick, of Thames, read a report of the work of the Thames branch during the last three months. Speaking of the report, Mrs Derric.i said there had been no doubt that the facilities offered by the branch in Thames had been fully availed, of by the mothers. Valuable help had been given by the district nurse. \ Mrs Towers asked what finance would be required to start a subbranch in Paeroa. Mrs Gordon said it would cost Panroa £3O a year for a Plunket nurse to visit, once a week. The nurse’s services and advice would ■be ‘free to mothers. Literature could be sold, which would assist to provide revenue. No ' doubt a suitable room for the nursp could be provided without entailing heavy expense. Mrs W. Marshall asked what appliances would be necessary. Mrs Derrick said that a set of scales was most necessary, and was expensive, but, provided a suitable rodiu could be furnished the expenses then would not be very heavy. Mrs Marshall asked if the £3O would have to be paid in advance if a branch was started. Mrs Derrick : Oh, no. The Government is prepared to subsidise the contributions to the extent "of 24s in the £ collected. Paeroa would become a sub-branch of the Thames branch. Donation boxes could be placed in a prominent place in the room. Mrs Marshall asked if the speakers had knowledge of any Paeroa mothers having consulted Plupket nurses in Thames or Te Aroha. Mrs Derrick said that a mother had visited them regularly from Hikutaia Mrs Gordon said that several mothers from Paeroa had visited the nurse in Te Arbh'a. She thought it was possible that scales could be borrowed from one of the local chemists until the sub-branch got on Ils feet. Mis Derrick said that the society was not out only t.o help the poorer mothers. Help and advice was freely given to all. . Mrs Towers suggested that the borough should be canvassed for help. An idea could then be formed as to whether a sub-branch could be successfully carried out. Mrs H. Hare said she thought \.he • business people, if approached, would willingly help the movement. She had received valuable help and advice from Plunket nurses in Te Aroha and Auckland, and was of the opinion that a sub-br,anch would be of

great benefit to the community. After further discussion the following were set up as a provisional com. niittee to go into the matter: Mesdames W. Marshall, president; E. W. Porntt, W. J. Towers,-H. Here, W. D. Nicholas, E. H. Andrews, G. H. Taylor. and A. Steedman. At the conclusion of the meeting Mrs Brenan thanked the speakers for their attendance and for their interesting addresses. The vote was carried by acclamation. COMMITTEE MEETING. - A meeting of the provisional committee was held immediately after the addresses. It was decided to make inquiries as to the chance of securing a suitable room for the muse s use, and also to ascertain, as far as possible, to what extent the project would be helped. The-com-mittee arranged, to call a public meeting, to be held later on in the month. It was hoped that at, such meeting an indication would be obtained as to the success or otherwise of the proposal to form a sub-branch in Paeroa.