PRE-NATAL CLINICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3696, 27 September 1927, Page 2

PRE-NATAL CLINICS.

The importance of the work done by pre-natal clinics was stressed by the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) prior to laying the foundation stone of the Maternity Home at Palmerston North yesterday. Much maternal mortality, said Mr. Young, was the result of preventible causes. Women were not always aware of The precedure they.should adopt prior to the birth of a child, and consequently much suffering and some fatalities were caused, but by the work of the prenatal clinics mothers could be taught how to care for themselves. Information made available at prenatal clinics was invaluable to women, and it was the duty, of all interested in the welfare of the Dominion to see that this information was obtained whenever possible. Thousands of pounds also were being spent in bringing immigrants into New Zealand, but the best immigration policy of all was that which saw to it that little immigrants were brought into the homes of the coun- itry who would, in after life, be able, owing to the knowledge given parents by such institutions, to mature into full and worthy citizenship. [Wje may mention that a prenatal clinic has been in operation at the Palmerston Hospital for years, but we regret to state very little use has been made of it.]