MILK IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 3

MILK IN SCHOOLS

PROPOSAL FOR SUSPENSION SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ VIEWS I A suggestion that the supply of milk ■n schools should be suspended aroused rfrong criticism from most delegates »he Canterbury School Committees’ Association meeting last evening. The Canterbury Education Board referred, it an opinion, a resolution from the rhristchurch Headmasters’ Association that because of the improved economic conditions m New Zealand and the urgent need to send more butter “mi cheese overseas, the supply of milk to schools be suspended. Several delegates rose immediately to object to the proposal. ■lf our children are going to be brought up for cannon fodder, I say feed the kids,” said Mr H. T. Hamilton (Woolston). Mrs M. D. Sullivan (Belfast) said ahe was an American by birth and relatives had informed her that plentiful supplies of New Zealand butter we re on the open market in the Uni- ■ ted States at about a dollar a pound . jf that was where the butter was going the resolution was not soundly I founded. The association had fought I hard for the milk-iri-schools scheme, ; and should see that it was retained. A number of delegates said that malnutrition still existed in New Zealand. The benefits of milk in schools were so obvious that it should be retained. Many parents did not seem to worry about their children, so everything that would ensure balanced feeding should be done at school, said Mr E. A. Oakes (Opawa). Mr W. Sutherland (Marshland) was the first to support the headmasters. He said parents should accept the respcnsibility for giving milk to their children. An allegation that two-thirds of the milk supplied to schools went down the drain or was returned to the depot, was made by Mr F. G. Briggs (Lyttelton Main). If the school supply was abolished, parents would buy more milk so no more cheese or butter would be produced, said Mr J R. Coulter (Wharenui). “I have still to be convinced that the children have benefited,” said Mr R M. Luke (Spreydon). “I say abolish milk in schools and also abolish butter rationing.” Mr W. T. Langley (Elmwood) said that if the milk in schools scheme was abolished it would be hard to reinstate. Mr C. D. W. L. Sheppard (life member) appealed for humanitarian consideration of the needs of people overseas. If he was assured that suspension of milk in schools would produce more butter and cheese for those in need he would support the proposal. The suggestion came from the Local Headmasters’ Association and not from the Government or Health Department, said Mr S. J. Irwin (Cashmere). It was decided to ask the Headmasters’ Association to present figures to support their claims.