THE TUCK SHOP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 155, 2 July 1937, Page 6

THE TUCK SHOP.

Your paragraph on tuck shop reforms which flic headmistress of the Epsom ftirk* Grammar School proposes to introduce make* interesting reading to those who have long- observed the menace a tuck shop can be to the health of school children. Within a stone's throw of most schools of the Dominion there is a tuck shop where a considerable proportion of the pupils every lunch time buy quantities of lollies, chocolate, biscuits and pastry as tfceir lunch, or to supplement it: and after school hours children buy more cane sugar products. Unless eaten very sparingly, these articles in most rasps are a f.i •; >r in the 0.-cur-.en e of malnutrition. When children are enlightened they are usually quite ple:i<od to obtain more worthwhile food-tuff*, such a- fruits, dried or fres'.i (apples, pear*, dates, raisin*, etc.). nuts, plain wholemeal cake*, wholemeal scones or wholemenl rolled: and besides setting considerable enjoyment, they are eating foods which will help them to prow pood bones and good teeth in a healthy body. When we conipare the height and weitrht of New Zealand school children with those of overseas countries «■•■ may feel justifiably proud, but height an-1 weight in themselves are not ncve«sari]y reliable indications of sound health. We have to deplore the high incidence anion T school children of tooth decay. ton*ilit!K. glandular trouble, nasal <l>--hai-L'es. gaatro-intestinal troubles, mental retardation nnd malnutrition. and these ailments enuM be reduced considerably by wi«t>r eating. The tuck shop proprietor will usually <ell lines there i< a demand for. and if children are instructed Hy parents to a«k for the :n.>re healthful fowls, then the tuck ~Vr.-. proprietor will find it worth his while to sell them. The teacher*, school dental nurses an.l medical inspectors may d.' their best, but it is the parent* themselves who can J i the most, and it i<= time they realised "lie Heredity of greater discrimination in what tlieir chiUlron shall eat from the tuck rshop as also in what they shall e;it at home. OBSERVER.