MALNUTRITION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12609, 19 July 1935, Page 3

MALNUTRITION

SCHOOLCHILDREN IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT. SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS. COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE. (Presn Association) WELLINGTON, July L Q . A proposal that the Wellington Education Board should institute ah investigation into the question as to what extent, if any, malnutrition exists amongst children attending schools under the jurisdiction of the hoard and, if found necessary, recommend necessary action for ensuring there shall he ho malnutrition of any child attending school was made by Colonel T. W. McDonald at a meeting of the hoard yesterday. Colonel McDonald said that the state of affairs was far from satisfactory. .Investigations had already been made in 21 schools under, the board’s jurisdiction. Schools ranging in attendance rolls from 12(5 to (5-1 showed that 1030. children were suffering from malnutrition. Added to that state of affairs was the fact that 394 of them had insufficient, clothing.

The chairman, Mr W. Y.. Dyer, said the 21 schools mentioned were probably the worst. They had been chosen for a preliminary investigation on the grounds that in them the worst conditions would probably he found. They, therefore, could not he looked upon as providing average figures for the whole district. After further discussion the board inquire as to the extent, if at all, to resolved to appoint, a committee to which home conditions were adversely. affecting the physical, mental and moral development of children attending schools, particularly those situated in poorer localities.