MILK IN N.Z. SCHOOLS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 14

MILK IN N.Z. SCHOOLS

Minister Wants Scheme Ended (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 15. There is no longer any need for the milk in schools scheme, according to the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent), who says in the current issue of “Freedom,” the National Party’s newspaper, that its cost. £750,000 a year, could be better spent on other aspects of education. “There is not the malnutrition among children that there was once," he said. "Where there is. the fault must lie mainly with the parents, because economic conditions have improved tremendously since the depression days as the result of which the scheme was instituted."

Mr Tennent said there was £750.000 on the annual agricultural vote to pay fbr the scheme.

"I am certain, however, that if that sum were placed on the Education vote I could do much more good .with it than is now being done by the milk in schools scheme." he said. For various reasons the scheme had not operated in Southland at least since IMS. he said. The Hawke's Bay Education Board had abolished the scheme. From his own observations

and discussions as Minister “more than half of the other education boards are against continuing the scheme. “I have a very high regard for milk as a food, but it is not the only one necessary for good health.” Mr Tennent said.