ck of tolerance,
sympathy, and helpfulness with them.

If fault there is, it is in the attitude of the general public to this
matter.

Some criticism has been directed at the St. Helens Hospitals because
they are not freely open to unmarried women, but it is only right that
the position should be made clear.

The actual position is that, in the majority of cases, the St. Helens
Hospitals, which can only offer accommodation to an expectant mother
for the period of her confinement, are _not suitable_ for dealing
with single women, who require protection and care before and after
their confinements as well.

There are, throughout the country, many admirable institutions which
are equipped to give this service.

Discussion before this Committee has, however, made it clear that where
an unmarried mother can make adequate private arrangements for the care
of herself and her infant after confinement, the St. Helens Hospitals
are prepared to take her for the actual confinement period.

In regard to the maternity homes which deal with unmarried women, there
has also been some criticism of the usual regulations in these homes
which call for a period of residence in the home both before and,
especially, after confinement.

It should be pointed out, however, that this is a wise and humane
provision, entirely in the interests of the mothers and their babies;
it ensures for the mother that very period of convalescence which other
witnesses have so strongly advocated under other circumstances, it
gives the baby protection in the most difficult early months, and it
allows the helpers in the home an opportunity to make provision for the
baby's future.

Here, again, where the mother is able to make adequate provision for
herself and her infant, these regulations are certainly relaxed in some
of the homes concerned, and we would commend this practice in suitable
cases to those responsible for the management of all these homes.

Regarding the obstetrical care given to the unmarried mothers in these
homes, the evidence given indicates clearly that it is of a standard
equal to that in our other maternity hospitals.

Indeed, whereas the risks of childbirth amongst unmarried mothers the
world over is notoriously high, amongst the women who place themselves
in the care of these homes in New Zealand the maternal mortality and
the infant mortality are both exceedingly low.

In the homes of which the members of the Committee have per