DRIED MILK DISTRIBUTION.

Matters such as the milk supply for young children and nursing mothers have been delegated to the Infant Welfare Committee by the Dover Corporation for several years past. This committee is strengthened by the inclusion of philanthropic workers from outside the Town Council, and it has done excellent work. The committee fully recognise the seriousness of the position that will be created by the price of milk being increased to 1s a quart for the winter months, and will take all steps in their power for the protection of infant life. It is anticipated that the further funds that will be necessary for the purpose will be readily voted by the Corporation.

Members of the municipal authority at Bristol state that they propose to take any precautionary steps that may be possible to ensure a fair supply of milk to mothers and young children during the coming winter. For some time past a system has been in existence by which, on the recommendation of medical men, orders to obtain milk free of charge have been supplied to needy mothers with infants, as well as to tuberculosis patients. Dairymen honour the orders given out by the medical officer’s department, and it has not been necessary to open a milk depôt. The municipal authorities in Newcastle-on-tyne have in their Health Department an organisation specially to see that young mothers and children are assured of a regular supply of milk, and this, through the work the health visitors, applies particularly to the poorer districts of the city. A little more than a year ago, owing to the then great scarcity of milk, it was decided to introduce the distribution of dried milk, which is supplied to applicants at cost price, and in necessitous cases free of charge. Dried milk is regarded as being quite as nutritious as liquid milk. It is said to be much cheaper and more economical than handling fresh milk. The cost price is about 2s 2d per lb. A large number of persons are receiving the dried milk at cost price at the Health Department’s Offices weekly, while at present there are about 100 cases in which it is being supplied gratis.