MILK FOR CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 16

MILK FOR CHILDREN

SUPPLY AT SCHOOLS PROGRESS WITH PLAN EXTENSION POSSIBLE [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER! PAPAROA. Thursday The progress made by the Government in its plans for the distribution of milk to school children was commented on by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates:, in his speeches in the Kaipara electorate to-day. Details of cost and administration wero being fully investigated, Mr. Coates said, but a full announcement regarding tho national scheme would have to be deferred until the results of tho experimental distribution to certain Auckland schools had been examined. "Tho Auckland experiment is expected to give highly valuable information as to tho quantity of milk which should bo distributed and the best methods of organising," Mr. Coates said. "Obviously it would be unwise just to place a can of milk in a schoolrooirj and leave the rest to tho children. A scientific approach to the scheme, with hygienic methods of distribution. is essential if tho dancer of the dissemination of milk-borne diseases is to bo entirely avoided. Tho ultimate objective is to provido an adequate supply of milk to all school children, whether in town or country, but it is not intended to confine tho scheme entirely to tho schools. "In particular it is desirable to arrange, with tho co-operation of tho Plunkcfc Society and hospital boards, distribution: to children of pre-sehnol ago who may require extra milk rations. The Government is also anxious to assist in preparing the necessary distribution arrangements for the supply of milk to factories and other business establishments which may desiro an extension of tho scheme. "A free distribution of milk to children is aimed at, but the distribution xo business establishments would not receive the same financial assistance. In the administration of the scheme full reliance will bo placed on local organisations or committees, working in close co-operation with tho Departments of Health, Education and Agriculture. It should be clear that the successful administration of a schemo of this sort would materially improve the health of our children and at tho same time would substantially bonefit producers of milk products. For these reasons the Dairy Board and tho Unemployment Board are taking a keen interest in the proposals."