FREE MILK FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4570, 9 November 1935, Page 3

FREE MILK FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

MR. COATES EXPLAINS. Paparoa, November 8. The progress of Government plans for the distribution of milk to school children was commented on by the Minister of Finance (Mr Coates) in the course of speeches in the Kaipara electorate to-day. Details of the cost of administra- : tion are being fully investigated, Mi Coates said„ and a full announcement of the national scheme would have to be deferred until the results of experimental distribution in certain Auckland schools had been examined. “The Auckland experiment is expected to give highly valuable information as to the quality of milk which should be redistributed and the best methods of organisation,” Mr Coates said. “A scientific approach to the scheme with hygienic methods of distribution is essential if the danger of dissemination of milk-bome disease is to be entirely avoided. The ultimate objective is to provide an adequate supply of milk to all school children, but it is not intended to confine the scheme entirely to schools. It is desirable to arrange with the co-opera-tion of the Plunket Society and hospital boards the distribution to children of pre-school age who may require extra milk rations.

'“The Government is also anxious to assist in preparing the necessary distributive arrangements for the supply of milk by factories and other .business establishments which may desire it. An extension of the scheme of free distribution of milk .to children is aimed at, but distribution and business establishments would not receive the same financial assistance. In the administration of the scheme full reliance will be placed on local organisations and committees working in close co-operation with the Departments of Health, Education and Agriculture.

“Successful administration would materially improve the health ef the children and at the same time substantially benefit milk producers. For these reasons the Dairy Board and Unemployment Board are taking a keen interest in the proposal.”