MID-DAY MEALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 13

MID-DAY MEALS.

CHILDREN AT SCHOOL. "TIN-OPENER MOTHERS." CRITICISM BY TEACHER. (From Our Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. "Tin-opener mothers," or those who, although living close to school, preferred their children to take their lunches to school rather than go home and have a meal, were criticised by Mr. A. Arbucklc, of Matamata, at the conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute to-day. The Mutnnintfi liranch hart submitted a remit asking that the Health JlepartIllt'lit should make a special pU'ii to parents emphasising the necessity of children going home for the mid-day meal whenever possible. A committee of the conference, which ; a<l considered the remit reported that il considered that, in consolidated and country r-chools, in city schools, in cmi--jested trnflie arras, and in many individual cases, it was impracticable I'm children to go home at mid-day. It recommended that the Health Depart incut be asked to usu propaganda advising parents to give their children the right type of lunch. Mr. Arbuckle eaid that owing to the increase ill the number of "tin-opener mothers" and the so-called social activities in small districts, children who lived close to school were being given their lunch. "We should try to encourage parents not to adopt this means," he added, "but to entice their children to go home for a hot meal. We are attacking those parents who live within a half-mile radius of the school." Mr. F.. 0. Caigou, of Gisborne, said some children who went home for their lunch arrived .bnok at school when those who bad remained there were finishing their lunches. Tt was better for children to have their lunch leisurely. Miss M. E. Miigill, of Wellington., said she <on.--idcred ll was beyond the functions of the conference to castifrate parents and ascribe motives. Something must be left to the judgment of parents. The rommittee's recommendation was adopted.