Truby King, best known as the social reformer who took a political stance against infant mortality, at the time when the Plunket Society formed there was a demand for Child and Health Welfare reforms. During the interwar period child health and welfare had become more pressing issues for the government and voluntary organisations to act. The birth rate dropped considerably between 1870-1923 and the government had fears about baby farming so the 1893 Infant Life Protection Act was a response to the governments concern where the Police were to monitor children two and under whom were kept away from their families for more than three days, the age was increased to four years of age in 1896. (Labrum, 2009, p. 401)
Brooking (2014) discusses in May 1904, Premier Richard Seddon issued a Memorandum stating his concerns…show more content… The Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department was established in 1926 in which child welfare officers investigated concerns of ill-treatment and neglect, also to provide generally for indigent, neglected or delinquent children. (Labrum, 2009, pp. 402-403).
The 1930’s Depression had a great impact on Maternal mortality which were associated with illegal procedures of abortions. The 1937 Commission of Inquiry into Abortion was the main radical stimulus for consideration of birth prevention (Labrum, 2009, p. 402).
In modern society Plunket still plays a vital role in child welfare. 90 percent of all babies born are enrolled with Plunket services. Health goals Plunket strive include reducing rates in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, increase number in breast feeding rates, increase numbers of immunisations, reduction in rates of hearing loss in children and improve parenting skills as well as social support for families (Chapman, 2003 p.
