THE MILK TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 30 August 1928, Page 6

THE MILK TRADE.

Mr. Montgomerie writes glibly of "The Producers' Association." The name in itself is a misnomer. That name should be really divided by two or perhaps three. The quotient would then provide an approximately correct title on the basis of proportional representation. I must confess Mr. Montgomerie is displaying a sense of imagination when ho talks out "that the milk trade can only be reorganised by securing the co-operation of the producers, vendors and the public." Soviet Russia launched out on that tlieory about twelve years ago. I feel it is unnecessary for further comment on that subject. Mr. Montgomerie states the answers to the questions which I hold up as hurdles "are obvious to any person of ordinary intelligence." In the "Star" issue, August 20, he defined them as my puerile questions and stated it was not possible to answer them. In his display of ordinary intelligence he answers one question by suggesting the inducement he would offer to the public to change over to the block system is "cheaper milk." How many flags is he flying? Why, bottled milk has been available for months past at fivepence per quart. On the fifty-fifty basis of profit sharing between the wholesaler and vendor (vide Mr. Montgomerie, "Star," August li), tenpence to vendor and tenpence to wholesaler, who will deduct at least threepence per gallon for cartage and factory treatment costs. This leaves sevenpence per gallon for the producer, who aims to average one shilling per gallon. At tenpence per gallon the vendor probably makes twopence profit over and above delivery costs, including wages. Up to date I cannot see where the public is going to derive any benefit from being made subservient to the proposed alteration of conditions. Why bring the City Council into it on a price fixation board? I have a hazy idea they, reduced the tram fare from twopence to one penny for first-section riders. They again raised it to twopence after a very short period. The public do not like see-saw tactics in tramways management. I think they would object to taking them with their tea. However, the council charges a pretty high rate for water. For goodness sake do not let it dabble with babys milk. What is the annual loss suffered in Wellington from broken milk bottles and non-returns? The idea of the possibility of the weekly circuit of one milk bottle being a Chinaman on Monday, Hindu on Tuesday, social derelict on Wednesday, sick room on Thursday, overlooked on Friday and my house on Saturday does not appeal to mv standard of hygiene. HOT AIR.