[16] Cf. Special Report on Educational Subjects, vol. ii.
[17] Cf. Report on Elementary Schools of Berlin and Charlottenburg, by G. Andrew, Esq.
[18] Cf. Appendix, pp. [62-65].
[19] Report Royal Commission on Physical Training (Scotland), vol. i. (Neill & Co,. Edinburgh).
CHAPTER VII
THE RELATION OF THE STATE TO EDUCATION—THE FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
A much more important and far-reaching question than that of the State provision for the medical examination and inspection of children attending Public Elementary Schools is the question of whether, and to what extent, the State should undertake the provision of school meals for underfed children.
Of the existence of the evil of under and improper feeding of children, especially in many of our large towns, there is no doubt. The numerous voluntary agencies which have been brought into existence to cope with the former are sufficient evidence that the evil exists and that it is of a widespread nature. Again, the high rate of infant mortality amongst the children of the lower classes is largely due to ignorance on the part of parents of the nature and proper preparation of food suitable for children. Further, the social conditions under which many of the poor live in our large towns is a contributing cause of this improper feeding. In many cases there is no adequate provision in the home for the cooking and preparation of food, and in others the absence of the mother at work during the day necessitates the children "fending" for themselves in the providing of their meals. However, in considering this question we must carefully distinguish between three distinct causes operating to produce the condition of underfeeding, and as a consequence resulting in three distinct classes of underfed children. As the causes or groups of causes are different in nature, so the remedies also vary in character. Moreover, in many cases we find all three causes operating, now one and now the other, to produce the chronic underfeeding of the child.