MILK FOR SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 15

MILK FOR SCHOOLS

SUPPLIES IN COUNTEY GRANTS AND GOVERNMENT BOARD MEMBER'S CRITICISM Strong dissatisfaction with the reply received from the Director-General of Hpaltli, Dr. M. H. Watt, in response to recent representations made by the Auckland Education Board for the Government to pay for cocoa and milk supplied to country schools -where it was not possible to obtain a full supply ol milk, was expressed by Mr. W. I. Bowver at yesterday's meeting of the hoard.

The board suggested that the grants should not exceed the cost borne by the Government in supplying milk to city schools, but in his reply Dr. Watt stated that no authority had been received for the supply of milk to schools for cocoa making. Representations were being made, however, and the hoard would be advised as soon as a decision was reached.

In a further letter, Dr. Watt, stated that there was 110 provision for the subsidising of any amounts expended by certain school committees in the past for the purpose of providing milk to school children.

"We feci that hygienically and otherwise something should be done," said Mr. Bowycr. "The replies are very vaguo and it looks as though only a correction of the Act will bring this about. Wo have the Minister of Public Works ranting around the country—there is no other word for it—telling us what to do and -what not to do. He seems to be prepared to alter the law of the land at a moment's notice. His references to the Justices of the Peace show that. Other Ministers, too, are quite ready to change the law. They will have to change this one or there will be a hue and cry from the country districts."

The chairman, Mr. T. U. Wells, suggested that Mr. Bowycr was confusing two different requests. Tho matter of assisting country schools was still under consideration. "You can rest assured that we won't Ipse sight of it," Mr. Bowyer replied.

EXTENSION IN HAMILTON ALL NOW PARTICIPATING [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, "Wednesday. Free distribution of milk to school children in Hamilton is being extended .considerably this week. All the primary, secondary and private schools in Hamilton are now. taking advantage of the scheme and many pupils who pt first did not take- milk have now lined up with the others;