COCOA FOR CHILDREN

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1931, Page 3

COCOA FOR CHILDREN

DISTIUBUTTON IX SCHOOLS. RAW CAiRHOT ADVOCATED. ; .TUCKLAND, September 18. Whether or not the distribution of cocoa to school children during the winter months is harmful was a subject keenly debated at a meeting last evening of the Auckland Primary Sffhool Committees’ Association. Mr F. 0. Pace reported that a woman medical officer, who had visited the fe Papapa school recently, had condemned the practice of the school in , issuing hot' cocoa to pupils. She had said that the best medical authorities were against the giving of cocoa to children. She recommended that milk alone-be given them, or, failing that, an apple or a raw carrot.

“I cannot see my children, or, for that matter, anyone else’s children, eating raw carrot,, on a cold winter’s morning,’' added Mr Pace. “We had asked the officer to put her opinion in writ* ing, but she refused to do so. r \ he teachers, however, generally agreed that ■he cocoa has been of benefit to the. children. The Te Papa Committee was anxious to know the experiences of other committees, or whether there has been any complaints about cocoa from doctors." He had interviewed several medical men on the subject, and they poohpoohed the idea that cocoa was injurious. The Auckland branch of the B'.M.A. had also been appealed to for an opinion. Mrs F. Moßride said that several parents of children attending the Gladstone school had questioned the benefit of hot cocoa, and it was found on .investigation that the drink contained only one part of milk to three parts of water. Those proportions had been reversed. If the right proportion of milk was not used the cocoa, was. useless. After further discussion it was decided, on the suggestion of Mr G. E. Spooner, to secure an opinion on the subject from the Director of School Hygiene. .