Economic and financial section > Problem of nutrition

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months. “ Mothers’ Clubs ”, which are associations of the children’s
mothers, have collected funds and devoted them largely to supplementing
this milk ration for children who showed signs of malnutrition.
The State of Western Australia.
The means by which the State authorities in Western Australia have
been able to gain a general view of the presence or otherwise of
malnutrition amongst children has been the medical examination of
schoolchildren by departmental officers, and this has not brought to light
undue prevalence of malnutrition amongst children. It is possible,
however, that parents have frequently deprived themselves of proper
food in order that the children shall not suffer. Any cases of malnutrition
are notified to the parent by the medical officer, when discovered.
The principle of supplying free milk to children in schools has not yet
been adopted, but approximately 4,000 eight-ounce bottles of milk
are delivered at metropolitan schools daily at a cost of 5^. per week to
each child.
Federal Capital Territory.
The regular medical inspection of schoolchildren is carried out by
the medical officer of health, and all defects, including cases of children
who are more than 10% under weight, are reported to their medical
advisers or the hospital for treatment. In 1935, the figures for the two
largest schools as compared with the New South Wales Education
Department’s height-weight table indicate that the “ entrants ” boys
were slightly over y2 lb. over weight; the “entrants” girls 1 lb. under
weight ; the “leavers ” boys 4 lb. over weight; and the “ leavers” girls
1 lb. over weight. Although no free issues of food are made, advice by
pamphlet is available on nutrition, the " protective ” foods being
stressed.
The State of South Australia.
During recent years, when unemployment was heavier than usual,
some philanthropic institutions provided a hot meal for needy
schoolchildren, and, in connection with some of the State schools,
parents who are able pay a small sum each week, which is supplemented
by the “ Mothers’ Clubs ”, to enable a supply of milk to be given to
infant children each day.
Austria.
The Feeding of Children.
Practical measures are taken by provincial and local authorities in
Austria, and also by private organisations, in the endeavour to ensure the
feeding of children.
In the Federal capital, Vienna, these activities take many forms :