MALNUTRITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 4

MALNUTRITION.

Sir, —From one mother to another I thank you Rachael. It looks as if we women will have to get into the fight for the wellbeing of our children. In the olden days the led, and our sex were proud of them. When they came home with their scars of battle we nursed and cared for them j yet to-day we have a number of men who sit around a table and talk of malnutrition. We have learned doctors telling us it is not the quantity qf food that counts but the correct dieting. They talk of oceans of milk, fruit, etc. Where is this coming from ? I as a mother will throw out the following challenge to any person—doctors and parsons included: My husband is unfit for work, and is on sustenance, and draws 32s weekly. I am prepared to pass this money over to any person who accepts this challenge, the said person to pay rent, firing, lighting, clothes; food, etc., in fact, balance my. household budget. Who is the brave man or woman who will accept this? No, malnutrition (or its causes) does not lay in the home, but its breeding quarters are in Wellington. I notice the unemployment tax was reduced by two pence in the pound recently. Who benefits,by this? I know our kiddies lose. I fancy'the standard wage to-day is about £3 10s w'eekly. That means the worker saves sevenpence a week. But what do other folks save? I remember during the last war, a. then prominent New Zealand statesman, said “every child was an asset to the country.’’ Well, why

does not the country look after its assets? My boys, amongst others, are the potential defenders of our race. Well, why not give them a fail* deal, or do the powers that be want to bring up a raco of weaklings, unfitted to defend themselves, let alone their country? MUMMY.