WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 67, 6 August 1912, Page 6

WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

PROMOTION 7 OF THEIR HEALTH. AXXUAL MEETING OF LOCAL SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the New Plymonth branch of the Society for the Health of Women and Children was held in 'the Town Hull yesterday afternoon. The wet weather materially affected the attendance. OPERATION'S REVIEWED. The president (Mrs. E. Douglas) was in the chair, and gave an interesting review of the operations of the society durincr

the year. At the outset, she states: '"lt will .be wise to clear away some confusion of mind that exists that this society and the Society for the Protection of Women and Children are one and the same ibodv. There is, it is noted, no branch of the S.P.W.C. in New Plymouth that is known of, the primary object of which is to give advice and assistance to women and children who have I>een illtreatwl. The Society for the Health of Women and Children exists for the purpose of inculcating a lofty view of the responsibility of maternity, and the fluty of every mo'ther to (it herself for the perfect fulfilment of all that nature calls of motherhood, both before and after j child-birth; also to provide and employ nurses who will Ibe ready at any time to give advice and instruction to mothers in the honle and elsewhere, with a view of conserving the health and strength of the rising generation, and rendering both mother and offspring hardy, healthy and resistive to disease. The report, it is mentioned, covers the period of fiftyeight weeks, viz., from the date of the la.-."t annual meeting on May '26, 1011, until the Plunket Nurse's services were dispensed with in July, 1012. Nurse Morgan worked under the New Plymouth j committee for about fifteen months, and proved herself to be a most capable nurse, who could have done justice to , any work that came to her. During heT term of fifty-eight weeks she visited and advised fifty mothers and baAnes in New Plymouth, and corresponded with ten country mothers. In June, 1011, she visited Waitara and gave a demonstration of the making of humanised milk, and tried to form a branch there, tout without success. Nursf Morgan also addressed a. large meeting of mothers in the Good Tenvplar Hall, and visited Stratford and gave a demonstration there. We are glad that there have < been so few cases of sickness among infants, but we greatly regret that mothers have not availed themselves of the opportunity of hearing advice that would have 'been a Teal help to them for the remainder of their lives. On the other hand, however, all literature supplied to the Society by Dr. Trilby King has been freely asked for, I especially by country people. The new | booklet, "What liaby Needs' (price sixpence) can ilw obtained from the secretary (Mrs. K. Matthews, Devon Line, Fitzroy), and from the president (Mrs. Allan Douglas, Pendarvcs street, New I Plymouth). The mewiibership fees having | fallen off so much during the year, the | committee endeavored to make up the I deficiency fbv holding a garden party, 'by I kind permission of Mr, Newton King, at Unfortunately, the weather turned out to be stormy, and in consequence the funds were not benefited Ito any extent. As there was so little work for the Plunket Nurse, and a.s the committee found difficulty in getting her salary, it was decided to dispense with her services for the present." ISOCIETY TO BE RE-ORGANISED. "After this decision was made," continues the report, "a circular letter was received from Dr. Truiby King, saying that he intended visiting New Plymouth j shortly, accompanied !by Mra. King, to 1 re-organise the Society under the new i scheme. The circular says: "The Minister for Public Health has expressed the desire that the work which the Society has I>een carrying out in the eight main centres of the Dominion should be extended along similar lines throughout the whole country. In order to effect this I (Or. King) am. to be associated with the Public Health Department for the next few (months, and will deliver a series of lectures, etc., mainly in country districts. Dr. Valentinp (the Chief Health Officer), under whom the scheme will 'be carried out, lias kindly arranged for the co-operation and assistance of the officers of his department.' The committee have resolved to hold office until Dr. Trul>y King' 3 visit. They also wish to notify the public that there is no Plunket Nurse in their employ just now." The report then goes on to thank various

James ior assistance rendered, una expresses 1 appreciation of the Government grant of £SO. It concludes l>y hoping 1 that under the new scheme the Society will he stronger and do (better work than 'before. THE FINANCES. The balance-sheet showed that the re> ceipts, including; u ,baJik balance of £(Sfl I7s !)d. Government subsidy of £SO, and donations 0L.£22-83. amounted to £176 12s fid. The main item of expenditure, wUik'li totalled ,£ l#l 7 s !)d, was the nurse's salary and expenses, £ll9 2s, Cash in hand amounted to 13s Od, and there was a bank 'balance of £44 lis Gd. The ibalanoe-slieet covers the period up till March 31 last. The I'lunket Nursc'a salary lias, however, been paid up till July 8, and the credit-balance to date is only £!). The meeting empowered the president and the secretary to make arrangements for the visit of Dr. Truby King.