The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1936. HEALTH AND DIET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 225, 3 September 1936, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1936. HEALTH AND DIET.

The importance of diet as a means to health is becoming recognised to an increasing degree all over the world, but, according to statements made at the annual meeting of the Plunket Society at Wellington, New Zealand has still much to learn, especially in the feeding of children. The point was raised by Dr. Martin Tweed, medical adviser to the society, who instanced the enormous per capita consumption of sugar in New Zealand as compared with a country like Sweden,* and the consequent evil effects, in his opinion, on the teeth and jaws of children. Other causes of defects in the physique and health of the .growjng child were white flour and an insufficiency of fruit and vegetables. The Mayor (Mr. Hislop) capped these remarks by declaring— at the risk of criticism from his audience—that cooking was a lost art in this country, and that it was deplorable that so much of the vast abundance of natural foods available in New Zealand was misused by our cooks.

That there is more than a modicum of truth in these allegations was shown by the inquiry into malnutrition among school children made some time ago. So far as the infant is concerned, the position in the Dominion is satisfactory, mainly through the educational work of the Plunket Society. So far the welfare of the child receives generally proper attention. Some years later in life the child conies under the care of the school dental and medical services, but it is then often found difficult or impossible to undo the harm suffered by ignorance or neglect in the pre-school period. This is usually considered the critical time in the life of the child from every point of view, and it is of the utmost importance to the future of the race that the sound principles which guide the Plunket system should be extended to cover the subsequent years until the child reaches school age.

At' present there is no body to undertake the work, and the question was raised at the meeting of the Piunket Society as to whether it would not be the most suitable institution for that purpose. The society's record would certainly seem to jusitfy a movement in that direction, but the question of cost then arises. The calls on the Government, apart from the expenditure voluntarily incurred, are exceedingly heavy, and might naturally provoke a pause at the prospect of further responsibilities. On the other hand, the health of the race is at stake. In the national health service contemplated by the Government there should be room for the full utilisation of the special experience of the Piunket Society, which has already conferred such benefits on New Zealand. The Australia-Taranaki Rugby Match. If the Australian touring Rugby team is to play the Taranaki representatives, as it is hoped, Stratford has the best claim of any town in the province to be the venue of the match. To hold the game at Hawera would be to penalise the people of New Plymouth, who would have to travel over 40 miles to see it, and to hold it at New Plymouth would similarly penalise the Hawera enthusiasts. Stratford's central position makes it the natural choice, and the fact that we have not had a representative match here this season should further influence the Rugby Union in our favour. Stratford businessmen intend to make representations to the Taranaki Rugby Union for the match to be played here, and it is to be hoped that the town gives a solid backing to those who have been energetic enough to move in the matter.