THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Shannon News, 1 November 1929, Page 1

THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

SAVING THE BABIES. Tlie Government Statistician had a very gratifying announcement to make in Lis report on the Dominion's vital statistics for 1928. Statisticians who deal with dry facts and figures rarely enthuse about anything connected with them; but on this occasion the report on the infant mortality of Isew Zealand opens with. glowing satisfaettcn. For some years past the infant mortality rate has steadily declined, and the record of 1923 remarkably emphasised the decline by making the lowest' point yet attained. There were last year only 948 deaths of children under one year in all the Dominion—9 per cent, less than in the previous year. In 1926 the deaths per thousand of births was as low as 37.74. In 1928 the percentage fell to 38.18, figures that have never before been recorded in this or any other country. The nearest approach to the New Zealand rate is that of Australia, where in 1926 the number of deaths per thousand of children under one year was 56. The same figure was reached in Norway, and Sweden was next with 58. In both these countries special attention is given to this subject. The returns for England and Wales shows 72 per 1000. In Belgium the deaths reached 100 per thousand, and in Chile, the enormous loss of 265 per thousand was recorded. Many countries are now inquiring into the Plunket system which is operating with such remarkable results in New Zealand, where most parents now appear to take the services rendered to them as a matter of course. It should be borne in mind that the Plunket Societies, as the branches of the Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children are more familiarly termed, are purely voluntary organisations — not a Government institution. Everyone is deeply concerned in their operations, and must rejoice at their success, as shown by the steadily decreasing rate of infant mortality—declared by the Government Statistician to be “Phenomenal"; yet we learn that comparatively few who freely receive the benefits and services of the Plunket nurses subscribe anything to the cost of carrying on these societies. They apparently fail to realise that they are interested in the financial aspect of the societies'' operations, and that they should all be active members of them. In fact all should be proud to belong to an organisation which gives such services with such remarkably successful results. When an epidemic overtakes a community, nearly everyone promptly subscribes money and numbers volunteer services to check it. The efforts made by the Plunket Societies, to save life and cheek the mortality that goes on all the year and every year, among young children hardly receive assistance or any kind of recognition except by the matter-of-fate statistician. Surely if there is a cause worthy o' the fullest support it is that of saving the babies. The remarks included in the Health report for 192 S should make everyone realise this, and induce the public generally to heartilv support the Plunket Societies which are doing such splendid work in every part of New Zealand.