HEALTH OF CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 42, 17 August 1935, Page 10

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

COMMENT AND REPLY (Special to the "Evening Post.") ' PALMERSTON- N., This -Day. -"It appears to me quite evident Dr. Gunn is not fully acquainted with the conditions that obtain in the larger cities. My last answer to her remarks would rest with the great proportion of our population which at present, through stress of circumstances, has been forced into "unemployment and, in consequence, is in receipt of sustenance." This comment came from Mr. A. Roberts, of Auckland, president of the Dominion Federation of School Committees' Associations, when referring to the statement by Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, medical officer of the Wanganui Education Board; that malnutrition of children in primary schools was practically non-existent.

Early in the federation conference Mr; Roberts had expressed the opinion that malnutrition existed today in greater proportion than it did four years ago. With this opinion Dr. Gunn could not'agree.

Mr. Roberts added to his reply to Dr. Gunn by stating that his remarks were substantially correct, as a special committee to consider matters relating to the health of the pupils of the Napier Girls' High School, particularly regarding undernourished children, was appointed at a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Secondary Education Board after considering a report from Dr. C. Anderson, school medical officer. According to reports, Dr. Harold Berry, commenting on Dr. Anderson's report, said that New Zealand could be considered a B grade country because 75 per cent, of the girls had defects. The most serious defect was asthma, while defective teeth and eyesight were also prevalent.