H.—3l.

following table is constructed, really a record of the daily diet noted in 213 families from repeated observation :—

No variation is made for children, unless infants. At the end of 1939 a family in the course of a visit ate their midday meal. The family of five, two adults and three children under five years, had an apparently satisfying meal of white bread plucked from the big loaf, pieces being soaked in sweetened milkless tea from time to time, and the children happily eating to repletion. That the Maori diet of to-day is ill balanced is proven by giving dietary additions. More and more Maori schools are being given a daily half-pint ration of pasteurized or malted milk. The schoolteachers almost universally report improved nutrition and less scabies, impetigo, and colds. In a carefully controlled Lake Taupo area experiment, the giving of half a pint of milk, with either cod-liver oil or adexolin added, helped suppress the incidence and development of dental caries. Not only is the present diet ill balanced, but it is soft and pappy, providing insufficient jaw exercise and gum massage. From whatever angle the Maori diet be viewed it proves faulty. The pakeha is partly responsible in that he has introduced his foodstuffs without inculcating knowledge of their correct proportional use. While it is difficult to alter dietary habits in adults, young Maoris are susceptible. The best attack on the dietary problem is undoubtedly correct teaching in school years ; some Native .schools are giving this, but fuller exploitation of school and other preventive avenues is needed to cope with a widespread Maori need.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (960 copies including graphs), £80.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94o.

Price Is. 3d.J

53

Number of Families using J Breakfast. Midday. j Evening Meal. Drinks — Tea .. .. .. .. 194 186 142 Cocoa .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Water .. .. .. .. . . 1 Flesh foods — Meat .. .. .. .. .. 95 37 170 Fish .. .. .. .. .. 4 6 10 Dairy-produce— Butter .. .. .. .. .. 104 97 55 Milk .. .. .. .. .. 67 42 50 Eggs .. .. .. .. .. 14 2 2 Carbohydrate-high foods— Bread .. .. .. .. .. 181 173 111 Cereals .. .. ..... .. 48 Puddings .. .. .. .. . . 8 19 Sugar .. .. .. .. .. 59 51 53 Jam .. .. .. .. .. 31 30 Honey .. .. .. .. .. 5 Vegetables — Potatoes .. .. .. .. 81 39 167 Kumara .. .. .. .. .. 60 34 142 Greens or puha .. .. .. .. 17 17 98 Pumpkin or marrow .. .. .. 17 .. 27 Maize .. . . .. .. . . 8 3 Onions . . . . .. .. .. 5 Carrots or parsnips . . .. .. .. .. 2 Seaweed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4