“Taranaki Central Press” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1937. TWO WORTHY OBJECTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 366, 22 February 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1937. TWO WORTHY OBJECTS.

A public meeting at the Council offices has been called for to-night by the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the organisation of free milk supplies for school children and also to consider the formation of a Stratford branch of the Chippled Children s Society. The Mayor will preside at the meeting, and as many citizens as possible are urged to attend.

The question of distributing milk to school children is one which has the full support of the Government and is being carried out largely at the instigation of the Department of Health. Ever since Mr. George Bernard Shaw advocated this method of improving the nation’s health it has been in the forefront of proposed social activities in all the centres of the Dominion. Ihe need for such a means of overcoming the malnutrition of children is obvious to all: it is the practical side of the method and distribution which is the great problem.

To-night’s meeting in Stratford is to see the formation of a committee which will investigate local possibilities. It will not be an easy task, though it is by no means insurmountable. Serious consideration by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable executive should go a long way to ensure a milk supply to local children.

The welfare of crippled children is a much easier problem, though none the less important. Since Lord Nuffield s magnificent gift of two years ago, this work has received a tremendous fillip in New Zealand. There is one danger, however, and we cannot help but draw attention to it. Th e Crippled Children’s Societies in this Dominion suffer from the disadvantage of undue publicity. Jt was really inaugurated as the result of Lord Nuffield s gift, and when a peer of the realm offers his patronage to a cause, the tendency is for that cause to be classed as a “society’’ cause. In consequence, executive positions, even though honorary, are eagerly sought after. We venture to suggest that at to-night’s meeting the crippled children will find more patrons than the school children who are to be fed on a mily ratio n daily.

The merits of both causes, however, warrant public attention. His Worship the Mayor asks for a large attendance to-night to set up committees to further both objects. Is it too much to hope for a bumper meeting to-night? The world is not so full of the milk and honey of unselfishness that any responsible citizen should deliberately neglect to attend.