METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1939, Page 9

METHODIST CHURCH

MISSIONARY AUXILIARY.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS.

The monthly meeting of the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary was held in th.” Methodist Parsonage yesterday after noon, Mrs H. Speight presiding over e good attendance. Several items of business were deal: with and a very dainty afternoon tea was served by members of the execu five, after which a most interesting talk was given by Miss Hodge on hei work as District Nurse among the Maoris of the Wairarapa. "We have the lowest mortality average in the world,’’ said the speaker. “New Zealand is the first country in the world to employ the Truby King methods and this has now spread to all civilised countries. Our Health Camps also show a very high standard of efficiency and inquiries have been received from Signo> Mussolini as to our methods, so tha the health camps in Italy may be irn proved. But the death rate among adults is appalling owing to the prevalence among the Maoris of typhoid fever and consumption and the taking of strong drink. Innoculation now keeps typhoid down and the Wairarapa is practically free of this disease. Con sumption comes without warning of any kind. It is ofjen in the system e; the victim during childhood and developes during the adolescent years so that many die before reaching th' age of 21 years. Strong drink lower: the resistance of the body to disease and also , the reasoning powers. Thus the disease forges ahead. Much good work had been done by Sir Maui Pomare on behalf of Maoris by having District Nurses appointed to work among the people in the interests of the general health of the Native race. Skin diseases are practically unknown in Gladstone and Te Ore Ore.” Miss Hodge then related some amusing incidents of her experiences both in Masterton and other parts of New Zea land.

The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her talk.