FOOTWEAR SURVEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1944, Page 7

FOOTWEAR SURVEY

CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS

The Minister of Industries and Commerce has asked that educational authorities give their consent to the footwear fitting service of the Ministry of Supply undertaking a survey of a cross-section of children's feet within the various age groups, stated a letter to the Board of Managers of the Wellington Technical College received at a meeting of the board last night from the Minister of Education. (Mr.-Mason). "It is stated that there is dissatisfaction concerning ill-fitting footwear for children, and ' the production ;of correctly-fitting footwear depends on lasts conforming to correct uniform1 and basic measurements," the letter j stated. "I think that a considerable amount of good could result from the survey, and I shall be pleased if your board will approve of the children an the Wellington Technical School being -asked to participate in the/survey. Of course, it should be made clear %o teachers', if you agree to the survey, that no child should be included if a parent objects." The making of lasts was really a new industry in New Zealand, said the Director, Mr- R. G. Ridling, and it was an extremely desirable thing. There were a large number of children wrth flat feet in the college and it was desirable from the point of view of their welfare that such a survey be made. The chairman, Mr. W. A. Appleton, said that a large number of men were turned down for military service largely because of failure to take proper care of their feet when ttiey were young. The Education Department was to be commended. The right footwear for children would mean a great improvement and he was sure that the majority of parents would realise that it was in the interests of the children that such a survey .should be made.