MILK IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 362, 17 February 1937, Page 4

MILK IN SCHOOLS.

REQUEST TO MAYOR. Enquiries Regarding Supply And Distribution. His Worship the Mayor of Stratford, Mr J. W. McMillan, has. received a request from the Director-Gener-al of Health to convene a meeting of local members of Parliament, Education Board members. School Committees and Parents’ Association representatives, teachers and others interested in the distribution of milk for school children. The Department suggests that from such a general meeting, an executive would be appointed to undertake enquiries regarding supply and distribution. The local officers of the Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health will be available in an advisory capa-

city. The Director-General, in his letter, stresses the desire of the Government to introduce the “milk in schools” scheme as early as possible and to this end the local committee cclieme has been formulated. The object Is to provide a regular daily ration of half-a-pint of milk to every child at no charge to the parents. Preliminary negotiations are well under way in the main centres to attain this object.

Purity of Milk.

The first steps of the committee will be to enquire into the possible tources of supply. The ideal supply is one that is pasteurised and bottled. This is not possible in Stratford at present, but the Director-General points out, the pretence of cheese factories in the district may provide ineakis of “flash” pasteurising. In the absence of pasteurisation, a tuberculin-tetted herd must be found and the supply treated preferably by brine cooling or some alternative method, other than by simple water cooling. The supply of milk for the schools is required for only about 200 days in the year. The Director of Internal Marketing will give assistance to the supplier for diverting the milk to a suitable factor}- at other times. No term contracts are suggested, and as a guide to committees the Health Department suggests that the price paid under the guaranteed price for butter-fat plus an extra amount com pensating for the additional work involved. The basic price to be paid in the four centres will probably be about 7d per gallon at the farm gate. The maximum delivery price should work out at about l-3d per gallon. A milk scheme officer of the Health Department will later visit Stratford to assist where possible in formulating definite plans. The Mayor will give due notifies tion of any meeting nailed for the purpose of dealing with the Department’s request and commends the plan for consideration by those interested.