MALNUTRITION PROBLEMS.

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 8

MALNUTRITION PROBLEMS.

The problem of malnutrition is not one that will be easily solved. The lack of an adequate or a well-balanced diet is being felt among certain sections of the inhabitants of every country in the world—a fact which has resulted in the League of Nations embarking upon investigations aiming at a clearer conception of cause and cure. The League’s Second Committee has resumed its discussion on the subject. The other day Sir James Parr declared at a session of the committee that the most satisfactory way to attack the problem was along the lines of increasing purchasing power. This does not necessarily mean that universal rises in salaries and wages are necessary; New Zealand’s recent experiences of amended industrial legislation have proved only too clearly that when, as frequently happens, the cost of living rises in direct ratio to sudden and widespread increases in the earnings of the people, much of the benefit that was intended to accrue from the change is promptly neutralised. It does mean, however, that the methods of distribution can be made more efficient. The problem of dear fruit, for instance, may be closely interwoven with the problem of the middleman. If Sir James is correct in stating that New Zealand apples which bring the grower only Id a pound are being sold in Europe at 8d a pound, it must be concluded beyond all possibility of argument that the system of distribution is wrong. The healthful slogan, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away ” can mean very little to European families that have to pay 8d a pound for this particular fruit. New Zealand herself is more fortunately placed as regards apples. She suffers more acutely from the orange versus potato war being waged between her own Government and that of Australia. Here wo have an example of how a valuable article of diet is being kept by ill-conceived political strategy beyond the means of the purse which has children to provide for. Sir James Parr says that the League’s valuable work on nutrition should not be used as an excuse for individual Governments to delay action, and that it is gratifying to find that a number of Governments have already realised their obligations. His own Government must be credited with giving every encouragement to the milk in schools scheme, but those who have followed the progress of its policy in regard to the importation of oranges will have no exalted opinion of its actions “ in ioto.” Apart from inherent defects in the system of distribution, there is another cause underlying malnutrition—ignorance. In New Zealand too many people are backward in realising the worth of the advice of accredited modern dietitians. There is a prevailing tendency to think that what was good enough for our pioneering forefathers should ho good enough for us. But does this attitude of mind take into consideration the fact that the early settlers, for the most part, were living more robust lives, and that the

percentage of sedentary workers was much less than it is now? The foods that produce energy, though essential in themselves, have for a number of years been recognised as possessing insufficient vitamin content to give perfect health and afford protection from disease. Unfortunately, the “ protective ” foods, when brought in large supplies for family use, are more costly than the energy-producing ones, and the problem immediately facing most countries is how to produce and distribute such foodstuffs as fruit and fresh green vegetables among all households in such a manner that the rising generation in particular will benefit from them. It is desirable that more milk should be sold and consumed in the liquid state and that more attention should be given to the growing of fruit and green vegetables. To a certain extent even the town dweller can help himself—especially in the matter of vegetable production and a study of the wisest methods of preparation for the table. However, there still remains a good deal to be done through the League’s investigations. The problem of making suitable foodstuffs available to all ranks of the world’s population is still facing it and the individual Governments.