THE PRICE OF MILK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 8

THE PRICE OF MILK.

fro the Editor.) Sir, —In reading over your article in last night's "Star" re the shortage in the milk supply to the city, I see the milk vendors arc talking of raking the retail price. Now, are we poor struggling farmers gaing to get an extra cut out of the additional price, or is the retailer, who is already getting half the retail price (-which is 1/4 per gallon), going to get the whole of the increased price for himself? Jt is just this way. It is now costing the farmer at least 50 per cent more to produce his milk while-'the dry weather is on and during the winter months, and the retailer, who is already getting eightpence per gallon profit, is not quite satisfied and is out to get an additional fourpence per gallon, which will make his profit one shilling without : any additional expense, whereas, as I have already stated, the farmer has to carry a burden of 50 per cent more. The farmer has, say, one hundred acres of land, costing as it does round the city, roughly, £75 per acre, which works out at £7,500; fifty cows at £8, which makes another £400. And this is not all. He has his horses and cart, farm implements, labour, rates aijid taxes, losses of stock, etc. On the other hand, the retailer who delivers his milk has, 6ay, two milk floats, four horses, with an outlay of"about £150. with two men at £2 10/ per week. "Where does the fairness come in, or who is the fortunate one or who is the fool? I say it is high time that the farmers put their heads together and formed a Co-opera-tive Milk Supply Co., and the milk could be profitably delivered to tlie consumers at 3/ per gallon from August to January, and 1/4 from February to July; or on the other hand, 'tlie farmer could say to the retailer: "Sly price is 1/ per gallon; take it or leave it." Hoping this will meet the eye of someone with an abler pen who may have a better suggestion to make. —I am, etc., •FAIR PLAT.