THE MILK RATION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 262, 1 August 1936, Page 13

THE MILK RATION

5000 Gallons Monthly in Wellington EXTENSION OF SYSTEM NEEDED How many people in Wellington are aware that 5000 gallons of pasteurised milk are being issued monthly to the school children of Wellington free? There are 32 primary State schools and 15 convent schools on the list beside the free kindergartens and day nurseries. This issue of milk —half-a-pint to each needy child every day—is considered by medical men and teachers to be an innovation of the utmost value in building up resistance against illness among the children. One gallon of milk costs the Mayor’s Metropolitan Committee 1/1. and it provides 16 half-pint issues, delivered to the schools in half-pint sealed bottles, so that actually this half-pint issue costs less than one penny. The milk is not given to every child in the State schools. The teachers are given the task of discriminating as to which child shall have its drink of milk during the morning play-time, and which shall not.

The two largest issues in Wellington are made to the Mount Cook and Newtown Schools. The former receives 250 half-pint issues a day (live days a week), and the latter 252 issues. As the attendance of scholars Is nearly double those numbers, only about half t'he scholars are getting the milk issue. The issue commenced on March 1, and It is hoped to continue it until the end of November. It is hoped, however, ultimately to extend the issue to all children on every school day of the year. At present t'he fund relies almost entirely on the donations of the good-hearted. There is enough money in hand to keep the milk issue going for a few more weeks. Collectors are doing their utmos't, and many people are most generous, but it is obvious the system wants to be stabilised, not only in Wellington, but throughout New Zealand. If the promised Government assistance is forthcoming, this may yefi come to pass. The municipal milk committee and the manager, officers and staff of the department, have been a great help to the movement; while the school teachers (who probably know best the real value of the milk issue) are unremitting in their efforts to see that the ration goes to the children in the greatest need.