A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9669, 7 December 1909, Page 3

A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE.

The following open ktter on bplialf of the Women and Children of New Zealand has been forwarded to the Government by the Canterbury Women's Institute:—"The members of the Women's Institute desire to approach you on a matter of wide importance to the life and health of the peonla of New Zealand. We are in pnsfcs'ion of strong persona! evidence that the function of child-birth in outlying: country districts is often accompanied by grave difficulties and dappers such as do not exist in town centres. The passing of the oldfashioned nurse and the arrival of the highly-specialised maternity nurse have caused serious difficulties for country women in procuring proper attention and service during the most critical and perilous time" of their lives. The old type of unregistered nurse i 3 becoming extinct through wise legislation, and the new t\pe is not yet sufficiently plentiful to reach all the furthest corners of the Dominion, hence a certain dislocation. In view of the increasing importance attached by all thinking persons to the function of motherhood and its extensive influence on national life, we venture tor call your attention to certain injurious effects arising from distressed motherhood and then to suggest measures that might remove the evils—l. Refusal of child-bearing. If child-birth be attended by grave difficulties and dangers over and above what the usual natural function necessitates, then women will seek to avoid and prevent it. Result, a loss of vital wealth to the community. 2. The mental anguish and distress of the woman expecting child-birth without full attention and services may react on the unborn child, producing in it undesirable characteristics. Result, a weakling thrown on the State. 3. Difficulties and worries attendant on child-birth often have disastrous effects upon a woman's mental and physical health, therbey weakening her moral influence and control over her young family. Kesult, neglected childhood, a distinct danger to the nation, Dr Saleeby, of Eugenic fame, says -"In days to come the value of the maternal function will be more adequately appreciated by. Society, and thus a great difficulty under which women labour will be removed. It will be perctived, for instance, that the pregnant woman is already performing arduous work of supreme importance, and she will be expected to perform no more." "I venture to predict," continues the doctor, "that a part of the practical religion of the future will consist in something not far short of the apotheosis of maternity." We beg, therefore, to suggest—l. The establishment of St. Hi lens Maternity tomes in country towns. 2. State subsidy to maternity nurses attending cases in

outlying country districts, such subsidy to be granted where the husband's income is the same, or thereabouts, as that of the men whose wives are eligible for St, Helens Institutions. 3. State premiums or bonus to the mother on the birth of each chilj, subject, of course, to certain conditions We feel convinced that on tha above subject the Government ot New Zeahrd will find ample scope for just :rcl humane administration, and there ward reaped by the community will be a stronger womanhood ami a healthier and haDpier childhood.