NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 8

NOTES OF THE DAY

There is a real danger that unless adequate funds are forthcoming the admirable and humane scheme for supplying a milk ration to ill-nourished school children in the Wellington district may lapse The end of the present financial resources is in sight. On the testimony of head teachers the scheme has justified itself in the increased weight and vitality of the children. Records have been kept, and the figures are arresting and convincing. The scheme costs about £l2O a month, to which expenditure a contribution from the Mayor’s Relief Fund was a valuable help. Assistance from that source seems no longer available, and it falls to the general community to decide whether the service is to be kept going. The advantages, of a milk diet are incontestable, and it is really surprising that New Zealanders should partake so sparingly of a form of refreshment ayd nourishment so highly esteemed in other countries. If the value of milk as a diet were more thoroughly appreciated, there would be no need for an appeal on behalf of the children, and. what is more important from a national point of view, less need to worry about „ the dairying industry.

In the light of a report to the Carnegie Corporation, published to-day, New Zealand has no need to fear comparison with overseas countries in regard to its interest and expenditure on museums and art galleries. Further, this happy state of affairs is credited chiefly to “the thousands of enlightened and public-spirited citizens who have pulled together with a delightful sense of team work to make their particular town excel from the museum of 4 art gallery point of view.” It is to be hoped the compliment so paid will not have the effect of inducing us to rest on our laurels. _ Anyway, comparisons are odious. What really matters are our own ideals, which we should continue to pursue for the pleasure and profit accruing therefrom to our future generations.