SMALL CHILDREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1941, Page 6

SMALL CHILDREN

* RECEIVING ATTENTION IN BRITAIN ’ PROVISION OF SPECIAL FOODS. BUILDING OF POWERS OF RESISTANCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 11. An official of the Ministry of Food stated today that with the co-operation of the Ministry of Health arrangements have been made to distribute fruit juice and cod liver oil compound to small children born after January 1, 1940. The official said: “At the beginning the distribution will be free, but the Ministry does not bind itself to free distribution for all time and, when it has 'seen how the scheme works out, probably in March next year, it will be reviewed.” Among the products to be included in this distribution is black currant syrup. The Ministry has requisitioned the greater part' of the year’s black currant crop, and from this syrup will be made to give a proper daily intake of vitamin C to every child. Orange juice, which has been provided by the United States, will be distributed after the black currant extract has been used, and this will be designed to give the same intake of vitamin C. The cod liver oil is from Icelandic cod and will provide vitamins A and B. The Government’s policy is to build up the resistance of the children before the onset of severe winter weather. It is estimated that some 1,360,000 will enjoy the benefits of the scheme. YOUNG BRITONS OVERSEAS. The Dominions Under-Secretary, Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, stated in the House of Commons today that during the Parliamentary recess he had paid a visit to Canada to see the 1530 children who were officially sent there through the Overseas Reception Board. He had everywhere found the children in good health and spirits. He had had the most satisfactory discussions with the welfare authorities in each of the provinces upon problems connected with the children. It was generally agreed, Mr Shakespeare added, that the evacuation scheme had provided the most successful form of temporary overseas settlement. He said he had also visited the United States, where he met Mr Marshall Field and discussed with him the problems of the 859 children evacuated to the United States for whom the Marshall Field Committee had assumed responsibility. He had been deeply impressed with the arrangements for the welfare of these children. It had been agreed that in the case of the children privately evacuated to the United States the committee would assume responsibility for them when the circumstances warranted, and simi-

lar arrangements had been made with the Overseas Reception Board in Canada.