"SAVE THE BABIES” WEEK.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 November 1917, Page 4

"SAVE THE BABIES” WEEK.

TO THE PARENTS OF NEW ZEALAND. * DO YOU KNOW * That nearly 300,000 babies will be born in New Zealand in the next IQ years ? That their health and fitness "depend mainly on the health and knowledge of their parents? That nearly 1500 babies die every year in New Zealand. That it is estimated by leading an* thorities that at least as n a ny die during the nine months before birth? That most of this sacrifice of life is preventable and must be prevented?! That the ignorance and carelessness which sacrifice so much life entail an even greater wrong to the nation in the general impairment of health and vigour affecting more ,oe less the whole of the rising generation? That the loss of life in the war has made every baby’s life doubly preclous? That everyone can help to save the habies? That fewer babes are being born tJiQ Dominion than previously? That decrease in population means decrease in power? f That many thousands of women are handicapped for life by insufficient pajre ,and knowledge during their child-bearing period? “Save the B'abies” Week i s an organised campaign in which your help is wanted.

THE OBJECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE:

1. To arouse the sense of racial responsibility in every citizen in order to secure to every child born in New Zealand a birthright of mental and bodily health. 2. To inform the public generally as to what is now being done for young children and mothers in New Zealand.

3. To show what could be done if every citizen shouldered his or her responsibility. HOW CAN YOU HULP? 1. Your children’s health depends on yours, therefore lead healthy lives yourselves.

2 By giving your baby the best possible chance to grow up into a strong and useful citizen. 3. By learning all you can on the very important subject ; ‘of- Mothercraft. and teaching. ’j-oUf daughters. The'Plunket Nurses will do all they can to help you.- 1 ' ;,!v 4. By spreading such knowlejtea among other parents. Jr 5. By attending one or more of the Public Meetings which will be organised nr your district; by listening to a , Baby Sunday Afternoon Sermon; by visiting a Mothercraft Exhibition, and generally taking part in local arrangements for the week 1! ■ 6. By visiting the Plunket Roomsin your neighbourhood,’ at which youi will be welcomed. ’ 7. By becoming a member'of the nearest branch of the Plunket Society* For all further information apply to MISS G. HODDINOTT,

Secretary. Royal New Zealand Society for theHealth of Women and Children, Jamieson’s Buildings, Stuart Dunedin; " WEDNESDAY’S^FUNCTIONS. In spite of the weather there was a, good attendance at the supper-room* Town Hali ? yesterday afternoon,where the entertainment which was v to have been held in the Court House grounds, took place It was intended * to hold a Baby Show and give prizes for three classes, but as many of the town babies and all the country ones were prevented by the rain from be* ing present, it was decided to judge all the babies as one class and to a Baby Show later in the year when the weather is more settled. Popular

vote gave the first prize, which was donated by Mrs Studholme, to Elsai Murray and the second to Bobbie Ra«. !

During the afternoon, Mrs Studholme (President of the Taihape Branch of the Plunket Society) gave a most interesting address on the Society, its aims and work, and MisS Cook (Secretary of the Marton subbranch) explained by the aid of charts the relative values of infant foods, and her explanations were listened to with appreciative attention* Afternoon tea was dispensed by Mesdames Matthews, Nathan and Mercer, Mr s Studholme, Miss Cook, and the Plunket Nurses go to Mangaweka today (Thursday), to give an address and lecture there. The last function to he neld in connection with the local "Baby Week’* will be on Friday night in the Presbyterian Hall, whaADr. Mac Diarmid will lecture on connected with the Society, Imd Nurse Parlana will give a demonstration on infant food, clothing and bed-making, ''mt la to be hoped that the weather vmf b 0 more propitious and that there will be a good attendance. .j