PLUNKET SOCIETY AND W.D.F.U.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 289, 23 May 1929, Page 5

PLUNKET SOCIETY AND W.D.F.U.

(To the Editor). Sir, —Many members of the Women’s Division will read with surprise “ Observer’s ” letter. We have no idea of inserting a wedge, thin or otherwise, into the Plunket Society’s affairs. Strange as it may appear to “ Observer ” the W.D.F.U. were anxious to help the Plunket Society. We did not intend to ask the Plunket nurse to use our public or semipublic room, but our plans included a private room for the use of the Plunket Society, for which the society would be asked to find a certain proportion of the expenses, as is cnly fair. The Pio Pio branch of the W.D.F.U., in conjunction with the Plunket Society, have just opened their combined rooms, the majority of the funds being raised by the W D.F.U. Our local branch has an idea, mistaken perhaps, that a room added on to our rest room would be much cheaper for the Plunket Society than a separate room. We were quite prepared to work hard to help the society to be independent of the Town Board as the W.D.F.U. believes that people generally are much the better off for trying to help themselves a little, instead of sitting back until someone comes to their assistance.

We have no wish to deplete the ranks of the Plunket Society. Many members of the W.D.F.U. have paid their 2s Gd into the funds of the Plunket Society, myself included. I have also sent in many dozens of eggs and baskets of cooking to help swell the funds of the Plunket Society, from which I derive no benefit whatever.

I would like to ask “ Observer ” where she (or he) thinks the cooking, vegetables, poultry, etc., comes from, when the Plunket Society holds a Paddy’s Market or street stall. If you “ observe ” right you will know that the majority of material comes from exactly the sam> place as does the material for a stall in aid of W.D.F.U. funds, namely, from the farm. Why do the Plunket Society choose a sale sale day for their staff, Is it not to get the cash from the very people who run the W.D.F.U and the Farmers’ Union? The farmers pay every time, and some of the Plunket Society, I am pleased to say, are quite prepared to admit it. “ Observer ” is right on one point. Absolutely right. The W.D.F.U. is strong enough to stand alone. I am sorry the Plunket Society is poorly backed by the general public. Let “ Observer ” get to work and give the public value for their money and the Plunket Society may get some backing. In the meantime our rest room fund steadily grows, and if we have one room less to build the foundation stone will be laid so much sooner.—l am, etc., MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH.