CHILD WELFARE WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1920, Page 6

CHILD WELFARE WORK.

A SUCCESSFUL MISSION. RETURN OF DR. TRUBY KING. Dr. Truhy King's two-year mission abroad in connection with child welfare work was brought to a close on Sunday, ulien lie returned to Wellington by the iloeraki from Sydney, lir. King proceeded to England at the invitation of tlie authorities there interested in the work -in which he is recognised as an authority. He travelled by way of Vancouver and on arrival at, the Canadian port he received many pressing invitations from populous American centres to meet the health authorities there and explain what New Zealand was doing in I the matter of child welfare ami I'ie problems of motherhood generally. He accordingly held consultations with the medical and civic aufhoi'ities in San Francisco, l.os Angelos, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. He also visited Washington at the request of the Central Government Department, and went fully with its officials into the working of the -New Zealand organisation, which has made his name known throughout the whole of the civilised world. Dr. King arrived in Enaland in March, 15)18, and, on account of the exigencies of the war situation. it was some time before the institution founded at Earl's Court, oi; the lines of the Karitnne Hospital at Dunedin. could be put in working order. Dr. King responded to invitations to deliver addresses throughout the country .especially during the National Baby Week. Once it was properly under way the London institution for the care of mothers and children was attended by the same great success as that associated with the Karitane Hospital. The success of the London institution is, according to Dr. King, largely due to the splendid work of Miss Patrick, who for many years was matron in charge at Karitane before leaving New Zealand on military duties. Miss Patrick assumed control of the London institution (it its inception, and she enlisted the services of a highly capable stair, representative of tiie leading English hospitals and also of the Dominions. The insti- , tntion is now affiliated with St. Thomas' Hospital, and the physician in charge is ft child specialist from there. Despite strong inducements to remain in London, Miss Patrick is relinquishing the charge ' of the institution and planned to leave ; London for New Zealand about the New Year, spending two months in America on her way out. On arrival i n New ' Zealand Miss Patrick will again take ■ up her work in connection with the Plunket Society in New Zealand,

In an interview Dr. Kino- spoke of the great interest taken in the London institution. where there was an increasing influx of visiting doctors and public lieaith authorities from all parts of the world.

Dr. King paid several visits to France ill connection with the American Red Cross work, and was associated with Sir Arthur Newsholm and Professor Kenwood as a l-'rrtish representative to the infant welfare section at an internationmeeting. At the eleventh hour Dr. King had to cancel a visit he had arranged to make to South Africa at the request of the Government and medical authorities there, and instead had to '■online his attention to more urgent and work- in connection with the War Victims Relief Committee in Austria and Poland. On completion of this lie left for Australia, in which country lie lectured on numerous occasions and conferred with the authorities.