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59
greater publicity added corresponding figures of 966 and 7,134 in
August and a few more in September. The total for the partquarter
was 1,619 free and 11,490 at 2d. a pint. More took
advantage of the free issue in October and further applications in
the two succeeding months brought the total to 2,022 obtaining
milk free. Not all those obtaining it at 2d. a pint in September
renewed their applications so that although there were 651 and
453 applicants in November and December, the actual number of
beneficiaries for the quarter was only 11,757, a very slight increase
only on that for the previous quarter. It is of interest that the
free permit is in respect of an average of 1-4 persons as contrasted
with that of a permit for issue at 2d. a pint which is in respect of
1.2 persons. Although arrangements were to be made by which
those children who, on medical grounds, required dried rather
than fresh milk, were to be enabled to obtain it under the National
Milk Scheme, it was not until well on into August that provision
could, in fact, be made. Most of the dried milk is actually issued
at the local infant welfare centres. In August and September
the number of permits of dried milk issued free was 51, and the
number at the reduced rate of Is. 2d. a packet 66. The corresponding
figures for the next quarter were 48 and 51. For those
children who require more than the one pint of fresh milk per day
or its equivalent in dried milk, a supplementary issue is made not
under the National Milk Scheme but by the Council as maternity
and child welfare authority. For ease of administration the
Council's scale which had hitherto been used in determining whether
assistance was to be granted to any applicant was replaced in
respect of the issue of milk by that used under the National Milk
Scheme. Apprehension has been voiced regarding the provisions
of the National Milk Scheme on a number of points, the chief,
possibly, being that under it there is no certainty that a safe milk
is being distributed, a point on which local authorities issuing
milk under their maternity and child welfare schemes could satisfy
themselves by prescribing specified grades in their orders. Fortunately,
in this district, any fears on these grounds have been proved
to be ill-founded. A return has been obtained from the milk
purveyors in this district which discloses that practically all the
milk distributed in this area under this scheme is pasteurised.
The dried milk issued, which, of course, is a very small volume
compared with the fresh milk distributed, is only a dried milk,
that is, as contrasted with many of the proprietary dried foods
it is not a modified dried milk and is not fortified in any way by
the addition of vitamins or any preparations such as iron, nor
is it available in half-cream preparations. Against this it can
be maintained that any children needing the modified milks can
obtain them from the maternity and child welfare authorities
whose powers to grant such milk were not withdrawn on the coming
into force of the National Milk Scheme. How far the scheme is