MILK-IN-SCHOOLS SCHEME

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 12

MILK-IN-SCHOOLS SCHEME

COST £523,124 THIS YEAR The milk-in-schools scheme will cost New Zealand £523,124 this year, and about £535,000 next year, according to figures given to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening by Mr~R. Gillespie, chairman of its North Canterbury branch. “This thing is getting pretty big," he said, "and the powers that be will be looking into it in the near future.” Mr Gillespie was speaking to a proposal of the branch that apples should be supplied in country schools unable to receive free milk. - ’ He gave figures on the consumption and cost of the milk scheme since its inception, showing an annual rise ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, with the growing school population. “I don't think there is any crying need for milk today, but if some schools are penalised, we suggest they receive apples or other fruit," he said. , Mr E. F. Wilde (North Brighton) said milk should be supplied to all schools. He quoted reports from Britain, America, Canada, France, and Australia of big school milk schemes expanding. Publicity was needed on milk as a necessity, he said. If there were any trouble about liquid milk, there should be an investigation as to whether milk powder, milk tablets, or cod liver 6il capsules would give comparable benefit without the great bulk and cost in handling, said Mr D. S. Lee (Christchurch East). The president (Mr R. W. Taylor) said milk tablet* were used in parts of England and the secretary (Mr A. Greenwood) said some schools Had milk powder in New Zealand. The Canterbury Education Board had sent a questionnaire to all school committees seeking opinions on the milk scheme, the association had discussed it for an hour at the last meeting, and it should now wait for the findings, said Mr R. K. Milne. 9 Apples for country schools was the present issue. An amendment by Mr A. Wilson (Wharenui) that this matter be held over pending the board’s report was carried by 25 votes to 17.