WAIUKU PLUNKET SOCIETY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 716, 16 July 1929, Page 5

WAIUKU PLUNKET SOCIETY

ADDRESS BY MRS W. PARKES An interesting address on the Plunket Society, its-aims--and- ambitions, was given by Mrs. AV. Parkes, president of th© Auckland Plunket Society, In th© Wesley Hall, Waiuku, recently. Mrs. T. R. Bloomfield, president of the Waiuku branch, presided over a keenly interested attendance. Mrs. Parkes, in speaking of Sir Truby King, founder of the Plunket Society, stated that previous to his study of infant welfare he had made a special study of animal and plant life and had proved conclusively that nature’s laws applied to human life were just as effective as when applied to animals. Before the Plunket Society came into existence the infant death rate in New Zealand was 9 per cent., but it is at present the lowest in the world and New Zealand is now noted for its health laws for mother and child all over th© world. Other countries are adopting the Plunket Societies’ methods. Continuing, th© speaker mentioned that there seemed to be a mistaken idea that the Plunket Society means artificial feeding, but this is not the case, and the Plunket nurses try, by massage and every other means possible, to help mothers to breast feed their babies. In concluding her address, Nlrs. Parkes described the origin of the Ivaritane Hospital in Auckland, and explained how the work is carried out. and invited anyone interested to visit the institution and view for themselves the excellent services it is rendering. Short speeches were also made by Mrs. H. Wily, president of the Pukekohe Plunket Society, and Mrs. T. R. Bloomfield, president of the recentlyformed Waiuku branch. Two enjoyable musical items were given by Miss Anita Webster, after which tii© Waiuku ladies served afternoon tea.