THE PRICE OF MILK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 70, 23 March 1934, Page 6

THE PRICE OF MILK.

May I 'through your columns put F. HMcCarthy, along with others, on a fair-minded basis with respect to milk vendors? In the first place, their net return is 8d per gallon. We will assume that vendors deliver 30 gallons a day. There are far more delivering less than 30 gallons than there are over that amount. On that basis tjiey should get a net return of £7 per week if everybody paid their way. Take the cheapest way of delivery, per horse and float. The horse stabled in Auckland will cost approximately 30/ per week for feed and shoeing, eta If a motor vehicle is used the cost will bo £2 per week without breakdowns—say, 10/ a week for sundry expenses, which leaves £5 a week on the lowest scale, as I said before, if everybody pays, and, believe me, if "F.H." would, be "prepared to offer 2/6 in ,the £1 for milkmen's bad debts in the past eii: months and advertised his address he would get killed in the rush. No doubt milk should be cheaper, but not under present conditions. I do not think I would be contradicted if I said that the average vendor at present prices lis not averaging more than £4 per week. Surely this is not an exorbitant profit for seven nights' work in all weathers. This is one of the many businesses that seem all right in theory, but not too good in fact. A. McGAURY.

"Contract Gallon" also writes explaining the position of the small vendor.