OVERSEAS GREETINGS 41 



Indeed, our infant death-rate is now nearer 50. In view 

 of what has already been done and what remains to be 

 done by the deliberate application of scientific research to 

 social problems we may look for a material increase in the 

 only true wealth of nations, namely, healthy, joyous, human 

 life, and at the same time for the remedying of those 

 economic and environmental conditions which now hinder 

 human well-being and happiness. I would ask whether, 

 inspired by this hope, the Conference might not see its 

 way to express its opinion that there is no reason 

 why in every effectively organized nation the infant 

 mortality rate at the present day should not be reduced 

 to 50. What a gain this would represent, not only 

 in lives saved, but also in the reduction of the terrible 

 mass of human sorrow and pain embodied in the empty 

 arms and aching breasts of mothers bereft and whose suffer- 

 ing has been fruitless. From the agenda it is plain that 

 this Conference means business, and if we at the outposts 

 of the Empire are wise, the gains will not be confined to 

 Great Britain. We in Australia also are in need of such 

 knowledge as the Conference will impart, and we hope and 

 believe that its deliberations will be fraught with fertile 

 good for the helpless, unenfranchised infants and the 

 mothers who bravely bear them throughout the English- 

 speaking world. 



Dr. F. TRUBY KING (New Zealand) : Mr. President, 

 ladies and gentlemen, I am here to convey from the Govern- 

 ment of New Zealand and from the Society for the Health 

 of Women and Children of New Zealand greetings to the 

 Conference, and on my own behalf I can only express 

 my feeling of great personal obligation in the privilege 

 I have of being present at this meeting this morning. I 

 may say I was sent here from the other side of the world 

 solely for the purpose of attending this Conference and 

 for gaining information which will be of value to the women 

 and children of New Zealand. It was somewhat depressing, 

 perhaps, on arriving, to be told by a candid but somewhat 

 pessimistic friend that little value was attached to the work 

 of congresses, that there were too many of them and that 

 they arrived at no practical result. I can only say that the 

 admirable address we have had this morning and the 

 speeches which have followed on the President's address 

 are of the happiest augury. But, after all, we do not 

 need to go upon expectation. We know what has 

 occurred from congresses of this kind in the past. 

 Take, for instance, the Tuberculosis Exhibition which 

 was held in London four years ago. The President 



