FREE FOOD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 107, 8 May 1941, Page 14

FREE FOOD

BUILDING HEAIiTHY CHILDREN "If we can have free medicine for the curing of disease, why should we not have free food for the people to prevent disease?" was the question put by Dr. J. P. Hastings in an address at the Women's Food Value League luncheon yesterday. Miss M. Maindonald, a vice-president, presided. "It is time to stop this loss of human life and happiness," said Dr. Hastings. "The majority of medicines are useless. There can be no work of more far-reaching importance than to have free food based on the scientific opinions of the world's leading dietitians, issued to the people." Dr. Hastings made a strong plea to free little children from disease. "The amount of illness among children is a scandal," he said. "We have a right to see that the dawn of their lives is not darkened. It is important that children should be issued with free basic foods, such as wholemeal bread, milk, fruit, vegetables, butter and eggs. We should carry on where the Plunket Society leaves off." Dr. Hastings concluded with a reference to the economic factor. "Of what use is it to educate people in correct food values if they cannot afford to buy the food?" he asked. Miss Maindonald stated that the work of the league had increased to such an extent that it had been necessary to move the league's headquarters to two rooms in the Commercial Bank Buildings.