SAVING THE BABIES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 274, 11 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

SAVING THE BABIES.

LLOYD GEORGE TAKES A HAND

WHAT OF NEW ZEALAND?

SUGGESTIONS FOR IiABY WEEK

Mr Lloyd George, who is president of the National Committee, is organising an English baby week, commencing cu July 1. Similar weeks have been held in Paris, Copenhagen, and the big cities of the United States, and have been instrumental in saving the lives of man yinfants. The British committee is arranging for special services in the entireties relating to child welfare, special films in picture theatres, and a conference of ail the health associations. Why not have a baby week hero? In America it is becoming quite on institution, and the idea is net kept merely to the cities, but each country centre* becomign aware of the community u> st'net co-operates yearly in the spreading of propaganda for the saving of infant life. At present our country districts are more interested in stork remedies and recommendations for fertilisers than in the careful tending of babies. Farmers select with care food for their plants and animals, but thousand') of babies are being fed without tho least regard for what suits them. Tliev make protest in their feeble way by dying or grow ing sickly. Baby week would give mothers and fathers in city and country tho opjiortunity of learning tho most important facts with regard to tho 'are of children and of realising tho needless death of many babies, and the way in which infant* must lie protected. Hero aire suggestions for organising the movement. Select the dnt<- of tho campaign with an eye to tho season of the year. Earlysummer would be about the best time here, being ne'ther too hot nor too cold for a babies' parade, which should l)e a feature of the week. Let local clubs footer tho campaign, but call a meeting so that every man, woman and child of tho community will have a chance of becoming personally interested in tho movement for tho saving of infant life.

For the purpose cf gathering in all tho people of the community it would bo well to appoint a publicity committee. The American committees have been wise in tho selection of their meeting places, making provision in the way of toys and sand boxes, so that the children may amu-o themselves and loavo the mother* fro to take part in tho business of the meetings. Tho shops should bo persuaded to display baby foods and proper clothing and toilet articles lor infants. (My and country children alike would enjoy tho making oi" baby-posters to be pieced in the windows where displays aro made.

Pamphlets dealing with first-aid in tho home, tho treatment of measle*, whooping-cough, and other childish ailments; the care of the teeth; warnings against adenoids, and such subjects, could be obtained and freely distributed t

The baby parade, above all, must be a feature of th«> "baby week, and children up to eight and ten years of age might well ho included. Here would be tho competitive Interest to bring personal pride into tho common moveemnt. The parade would bo well placed just before the lecture or exercises at the exhibit hall. A few sugucitions for baby week meetings, culled from descriptions of the movement in America. a.*e given:— 1. Lot each member respond to roll call with nn idea for the care of babie*. 2. How can this community and its homost better conditions for the babies? .'5. Report of the sanitary condtions of the community and farms which affect the babies.

4. Babies' foes—soothing syrups, patent medicines, pacifier?, and dangerous food.

.". Play as an important factor in the child's welfare. What does our school cr community offer to children in the way of playground!' 0. Good books as a development ot character: what does our community offer in the way of a library for the children ? Here is a pledge repeated by American children on Baby Sunday:— "I pbuge to be a baby's fr'cnd, And everybody tvll— 1 (lean air, clean clothing, and clean focd Ho needs to keep him well. And hero a pathetic appeal placarded n a conspicuous plr.oo during one of ttio Baby Weeks ■- THK BABIES' PLEA Wo a<k for at least one day of the year to be given to thought of our welfare. Wo ask that you recognise our need of cleanliness, fres-h air, and proper fond. We ask that our parents have knowledge of our needs, in order that we may be spared to our country and grow into strong men and women to bu'ld up tho nation. We ask fur protection from the following enemies:— Dirty milk and tubercular cows, Klies, Adulterated focd, Patent medicines and soothing syrups. Pacifiers and thumb sucking, D'rtv playthings, d'rty floor? Wo ask that you — Do not kis, us on the mouth. I)o not rock u- violently, T)o not tickle us. Do not allow intense sunlight to glare into our uncovered eyes. Do not tease or frighten ns.