SCHOOL LUNCHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23356, 26 May 1939, Page 16

SCHOOL LUNCHES

MOTHERS' QUANDARY ADVICE FROM MATRON A DENTIST'S COMMENTS Tho much-disi.'iiHscd problem of nutritions school lunches must be leaving many mothers in a quandary," writes Miss V. Lowe, assistant matron at School House, Mount Albert Grammar School, in a letter to tho editor of tho Hkuai.d. "Dr. Hlizabeth Gunn is reported to havo said that meat pies and even cold sausages are suitable food items to ineludo in children's lunches," the letter says. "1 would suggest that a maximum of protective foods should bo supplied at this meal. Apparently also from her remarks it would bo useless to appeal to her to assist in tho struggle to | procure an adequate output of pure wholemeal bread in this country* A Possible Solution "On tho other hand, Dr. J. P. Hastings, of Auckland, correctly points out tho necessity of improving the diotetic habits of children. He reflects also as in America that it may pay tho Stato to provide health-giving meals at school cafeterias at a cost all parents would be grateful to pay. "The latter idea I would like to see pursued by all progressive headmasters and headmistresses as a possible practical undertaking. Mothers would be relieved of an irksome problem and children could bo given well-balanced health-giving meals at school, as there is no doubt as to tho correct methods of feeding children who aro not only growing fast, but both playing and working hard." Reports from Overseas

"During tho last few years many reports from overseas havo been published by your paper pointing out tho latest nutritional findings," says Dr. G. B. Chapman, in a letter to the Heiiald. "Great men like Sir Robert McCarrison, representative on the League of Nations Nutrition Council, Professor McCollum, also of this committee, and many others have had their wise advice published by you. The accepted and adopted findings of the League's Council has found its way also into your columns.

"These big men all agreo about the necessity for a careful return to natural foods, untampered with by man. They advise to a man tho uso of whole grains and tho dangers of refined sugars. Yet, in spite of all this sound advice from the real men who know, we find a letter in to-day's paper written by 'Experience' concerning school lunches, which ignores these truths. "The letter is obviously written by a conscientious mother, who feels that Jior arguments cannot be gainsaid. She "has definitely decided years ago that sho is right and has not oven read any of the modern ideas." Drastic Changes Forecast Dr. Chapman asks a series <?f questions of "Experience," asking if white bread as we know it was taken to school by her, whether or not she came from abroad with a constitution built on natural food, has sho her own teeth and perfect health, and what is the health of her children and grandchildren.^ "In 16 years' practice in New Zealand I have only found one perfect set of teeth in a New Zealand-born and reared child who reached the age of 15 years,". Dr. Chapman says. "These findings will be borne out by other dentists when tho Dental Research Department, now actively canvassing dentists throughout New Zealand, publishes its results. Tho near futuro will seo drastic changes for tho better in school lunches."