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16
Distribution of Milk to Nursing and Expectant
Mothers and Children under 3 years of age.
Since August, 1920, Dried Milk only has been distributed
under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
Eight tons of Dried Milk were used during the last five
months of that year, but the amount has steadily and rapidly
increased, until 104 tons were disposed of during the year 1923.
The milk is handed to the applicant (after the requisite information
is duly supplied on the application form approved by the
Council) in cardboard packets with printed directions, and the
present rate of disposal is approximately given as under:—
Average weekly number of packets supplied 5,000
„ „ „ „ persons who apply 3,500
„ „ „ „ „ supplied free, 1930
„ „ „ „ „ at half cost, 70 3,500
„ „ „ „ „ at cost price, 1500
The quasi-relief character of the undertaking under existing
economic conditions occupies an immense amount of time and
labour on the part of Mr. Cheatle and the staff working under
him, not only in carrying out the routine work of distribution,
but also in detecting as far as possible fraudulent receipt of
milk with a view to their submission to the Rota Committees
chargeable with the duty of deciding upon the appropriate action
in each case. Although applicants for free supply are constantly
warned of their duty to notify improved changes in their
financial condition, they frequently fail to do so, and merely
refunding the cost of supplies wrongly obtained does not appear
to check the evil.