DISTRESS AT MILLERTON

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1930, Page 4

DISTRESS AT MILLERTON

STORY OF STARVATION DENIED.

EDUCATION BOARD DISCUSSION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, Oct. 31. i A recent allegation, that school children at Millerton were starving owing to the slackness of the coal trade was the subject of discussion at the mcetino- of the Nelson Education Board. The subject arose out of a letter received from the Millerton School Committee forwarding a request from the Hiners’ Union asking for free books and one good meal daily for school Children. The secretary (Mr. H. J. Thornton) explained that when he had received tie letter he had communicated with the department asking permission to errant one meal daily tor a fortnight if if was found necessary and had received permission to do so. Tils chairman (the Hon. W. Mclntyre) said he had investigated the position. He had niet the school committee and asked for definite cases where children were going to school underfed. This could not lie done, said the speaker, and the statement was only a general one made by tho Miners’ Union. If the children were going to school without meals it meant that the younger children were also suffering, and he had wired to the department asking that a child welfare officer be sent, and one left Wellington last night. The union was not at first in favour of this being done. "I do not think there is any real justification for saying that the people of Millerton are starving and I think <it is a slur on the parents to say that the children are going to school without a meal,” continued the chairman. "In my opinion it is more a gesture on the part of the union to galvanise the Government into action to prevent the importation of Newcastle coal and, in my opinion, the means justify the ends, but in the meantime the Education Board is not going to be stampeded into establishing a precedent by supplying free meals.” Mr. F. W- O. Smith said it was inconceivable that such a state of things existed.

The chairman added that there were certainly a number of families who •who were not very well off and not able to buy stationery. , It was stated that about £4 10s was required for tho purchase of material, and it was resolved to grant this sum. It was further agreed to supply stationery to necessitous cases brought under the board’s notice.

Mr. E. Trevena (to the chairman): "You are thoroughly convinced that there are no cases 'of actual distress?” The chairman: "No case of actual starvation.”

Mr. J. H. Harkness (Westport): "It is the first I have heard of it.” Mr. Smith; "lb comes as a shock to us that New Zealand families are said to be starving.” The chairman: "A finer looking and more contented crowd of children could not be found anywhere.” Air. Trevena: "It is a serious statement to make and we should be fully satisfied that there are no actual cases of distress.”

To the chairman: "Did you get the headmaster’s opinion on it?” The chairman: "Yes.” ? 'r s j.