Milk in Schools

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 81, 7 April 1937, Page 2

Milk in Schools

PAHIATUA DISTRICT MEETING A meeting to consider the ‘ ‘milk in schools" question for the Pahiatua district was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening. The Mayor, Mr. J. D. Wilson, presided and representatives wore present from the Pahiatua, Mangatainoka, Mangamutu and tho Convent Schools. A circular from the Department of Health read by tho convenor of the meeting, Mr. G. Godfrey Taylor, stated inter alia that the Government desired to introduce the “milk in schools” scheme as early as possible, with the object of providing a regular daily ration of half-a-pint of milk to every child attending public and primary schools, the supply to be free of charge to parents. The Government asked for tho fullest co-operation and assistance of citizens' committees in each area and desired to entrust to such committees the duties of organisation and general oversight. The Minister of Health desired a meeting convened from which a committee should be appointed to undertake inquiries regarding supply and distribution, lt would bo necessary for tho source of the supply to be finally approved by the Departments of Agriculture and Health. The first steps of the committee would be to inquire into possible sources of supply, the ideal one being pasteurised and bottled milk. This might not be possible in many places to commence with but the presence of a cheese factory would provide means for “flash” pasteurisation as an alternative to tho preferable

“holding” system. In the absence of pasteurisation a tuberculin-tested herd should be sought and the supply treated by brine cooling or some method other than simple water cooling, lt was desirable that in all cases the supply be bottled either in glass containers or in cartons of approved type. All schools had been circularised to ascertain how many pupils would accept a daily ration.

All present entered into an informal discussion and some difficulties were discussed, the principal being the bottling question. The local milk vendors gave those present some idea of the cost of a bottling plant and the very necessary washing plant. Several present, including Drs. Dawson and Watson, while agreeing that the milk in bottles would be a very healthful scheme, thought the supply from a tuberculin-tested herd could be delivered to the schools in cans until later arrangements could be made. It was finally decided (on the motion of Mr. G. Godfrey Taylor) that a committee of four, on© from each school represented at tho meeting, bo formed to go thoroughly into the question and place the exact position concerning this district before tho department.

The committee elected consisted of Messrs. T. Clark (Pahiatua School), M. Murphy (Convent), H. Bolstead (Mangatainoka), and D. O'Brien (Mangamutu).