"Starving Children”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 1

"Starving Children”

Reports that children in New Zealand are starving and searching garbage cans for food have been denied by a Christchurch businessman in a letter to the Perth

morning newspaper, the “West Australian.” In his letter Mr A. E. Bartrum, who is on holiday in Perth, said he was appalled at Perth citizens’ misconception of conditions in New Zealand. “New Zealand children are probably the best-fed and- cared-for in the world, yet many of your folk believe they are starving and searching garbage cans for food,” he said. “Your people are also under the impression that unemployment is rife in our country. Actually, the percentage of unemployed to total population is lower than the Australian figure.” Mr Bartrum told “The Press” that he decided to write the letter after he and his wife were asked by a New Zealand-born taxidriver on their first day in Perth if it were true that children were starving and searching garbage cans for food.

The driver said he had seen statements to this effect on television the previous evening. Mr Bartrum said this was confirmed later in the day by a leading bank official, and it was then decided to write a denial to the Perth newspaper.