AN EXPERT VIEW.

Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 12

AN EXPERT VIEW.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. ELEANOR

BAKER

Dr. Eleanor Baker, Medical Inspector of Schools for Canterbuiy, when interviewed on the subject, said that she had not yet been able to make anything like a proper examination of the children in the city schools, lr*j-.time being occupied in the country districts, and sho wa6 consequently at present unable to give any definite opinions concerning the feeding of the children in the local schools. She intended, hbwercr, in the course of a month or two, to take in hand'the city schools, and • sho hoped to be able to pay particular attention to this phase of the child's wellbeing, even, to visiting the homes to ascertain exactly the conditions under which tbe children lived and wero fed. She granted freely that it was not easy for the ordinary working man large family to. get aloDg, but on the other hand there were too many parents who bad an imperfect knowledge of domestic economy and the . proper feeding and treatment of children. Children thrived best on plain .food, and that was a fact that was not sufficiently realised. Dripping, for instance, was nearly as palatable as butter, and was just as nourishing for children. The giving of new bread to children was a fruitful source of trouble, also biscuite, which, were worse for tho teeth than any lollies the child might eat. The matter

of school lunches was ono that havo given her some thought. The present syst*m was anything but a good one, but it wjis difficult to suggest a substitute. The child should have its big meal in the middle of the day. and should have plenty of time to eat it. If that could not be done, then the child should be fed directly it came home from school.

Referring further to the matter of food for children. Dr. Baker said that the tinned-food habit was very injurious. Plain meat should be given, and thero were many cheaper kinds of meat that could be tastefully prepared if the mother understood cooking. It was not necessary to get the best cuts. One mother had assured her that one of the best and cheapest meals she could find was a bullock's heart, which cost very little, but which mado a hot meal for the whole family, and also.a cold meal. In spite of pronouncements to the contrary, she believed that porridge and milk" was the best thing for children in the morning. No delicacies should bo given thorn," for thi;.;e spoilt their taste for the plain and simple food. So far as her observations have gone in Canterbury and in other parts of New Zealand; Dr. Baker, said that the children of New Zealand were, according to the height and weight standard, ahead of tho general average of English children of the better class. ■ '■I do not think," added Dr. Baker, "that the children of New Zealand are suffering from any insufficiency of food. There are cases of course of improper or inadequate feeding, but those cases would be- far less common if the parents knew how to shop and to keep house properly."