MILK IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 223, 20 September 1935, Page 17

MILK IN SCHOOLS.

RATIONAL SCHEME. - FREE DISTRIBUTION? CHARITY NOT WANTED. The statement contained in Mr. Coates' speech that the Government j>roposes to make funds available for "the encouragement of increased consumption of milk amongst children" is regarded by the organisers of the League of Health of New Zealand Youth as promising success to the major object of their endeavours. They have as yet, however, had no communication from the Minister as regards the Government's proposals and pending some such announcement are unable to comment. They urge that any scheme should be a national one, entirely free and without discrimination as to the children to share in it.

'•'There must bo no cheeseparing," said! Mr. H. J. Kelliljer, founder of the movement, this morning. "If there is it will bo useless. We cannot regard with any satisfaction a scheme which is merely on a subsidy basis. As wo regard it, a scheme of free milk distribution to the children of New Zealand is a commonsense one, which will more than repay any money that is invested in it. It is of vast national importance and it is surprising that it has, been left to a private body of citizens to urge that it should be undertaken.

Must Be Entirely Free. "If there is any aspect of charity about it, the main objects of our fight will not be accomplished," continued Mr. Kelliher. "It must be an entirely free distribution to children, no matter what school they are attending and regardless of whether their parents are able to pay for it or not. The £62,000 which will bo required annually to put such a scheme into operation should be rcgardod not as expenditure, but as an investment, which will have its effect in a very short period in a decline in the incidence of serious illness calling for hospital treatment and in the production of a better standard of physical well being throughout the Dominion."

Aside from that aspect, Mr. Kellilier pointed out, there was the question of increased returns to the dairying industry. At present New Zealand had the distinction of being the greatest producer of dairy produce in the world and yet was one of the lowest milk consuming countries. To that fact school medical inspectors laid the cause of the serious malnutrition which affected a large proportion of school children. They reported that 74 per cent of the children they examined suffered some physical defect.

Growth of League. Efforts were made early this year in Auckland to interest the public in a sclicme for the free distribution of milk in schools. The League of Health, which has since become allied with the People's League of Health in England, was formed on July lti and since then has won a big following. Branches have been formed in all the major centres of New Zealand already and in Auckland alone 5000, people have joined. It is expected that the league will eventually have a membership here of 30,000 people.

Questions regarding the purity of milk and of distribution will later engage the attention of the league, but at present their efforts are concentrated on the provision of a supply for children. Reasons for this are summed up by Dr. E. B. Gunson, of the medical council of tlio league, as follows: "If it were only the toll of health and the-associated suffering which our neglect is causing, we stand condemned of negligence in respect to the welfare of the children who are dependent upon us We are, however, permitting to grow up amongst us a youthful generation, not only physically defective, but mentally impaired and morally jeopardised. There can be only one outcome—the development of a degenerate race, in a country colonised a century ago by pioneers of exceptional physical and mental capacity. The tragedy can be obviated, but the remedy must be thoroughly applied and applied at once." That is the reason, too, why an early announcement of the Government s proposals are awaited with anxiety by the League.