MILK CONTROL AND THE PRICE OF MILK

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 118, 21 May 1931, Page 6

MILK CONTROL AND THE PRICE OF MILK

In reply to the letter by Mr. Littlejohn, I must reiterate that the milk producers are not getting what he terms an economical price simply because they are burdened by grossly excessive overhead expenses, principally interest or rent, and rates on the land they are farming, in addition to excessive interest rates on money borrowed to inveet in stock. These excessive charges are not peculiar to the milkfarming business, for the greatest 'bugbear and bar to prosperity in any undertaking can be attributed to overhead. The process of adjustment of land values is a very bitter one, for people are to-day walking off their, farms in the country and out of their houses in the city; unfortunately this is one of the evils of deflation and of economic progress. I would assure Mr. Littlejohn that no one will deny to the milk producer what is justly, due to him, but it seems that instead of making an effort to himself put his house in order he is endeavouring to palm off the procese. The farmer has so often been referred to as the backbone of the country that he is beginning to believe It, but can this be true of him when he displays such spinelessnees as he is evidencing ~t the present time in asking for a control board to administer his affairs! Mr. Littlejohn agrees that there is something radically "wrong with his organisation; put it right by all means, 'but do not go cap in hand to the Government or the council. Economies in operative methods do not lead to increased cost, .but control by corporation induces and fosters waste and "cuehy" jobs. Milk controlled by the corporation in Wellington costs the consumer 6-fd per quart to-day and a little more in the winter. The price of loose milk in Auckland to-day is 5d per quart, and perhaps will be a little more in the winter. FARMLET.