MILK CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 198, 22 August 1935, Page 16

MILK CONTROL.

PRODUCERS' FEARS. STATEMENTS CHALLENGED. «DEFINITELY MISLEADING." An allegation that some of the statements made by the Auckland fresh milk producers and fresh milk vendors in their campaign against the proposed amendments to the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Act were definitely misleading was made last evening by the Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, who is a member of the Milk Council. After hearing a deputation from the opponents of the amendments, the One Tree Hill Borough Council passed a resolution stating that it could see no reason why should depart from its previous decisions to support the proposed amendments. Before the deputation arrived, Mr. Goldstine that the other local bodies which had received similar deputations had .seen fit to hear them in committee, but lie thought 'that it was high time that the representations should receive some publicity. He suggested, therefore, that the council follow its usual procedure and receive the deputation in open meeting. As spokesman for the deputation, Mr. C. Mills said that the fresh milk producers and vendors were objecting to the proposed amendments on the ground that they were unfair as far as they were concerned. Most of the fresh milk suppliers were on high-priced land, which made it impossible for them to compete with the more distant farmers. It was essential that they should receive a fair price for every gallon they produced. The Milk Council's proposals would mean that many of them would be put off their farms. Under the proposed regulations a vendor refused a license or having his license revoked had no right of appeal. Near-by farmers could put on the market an articlo better and cheaper* or at least as cheap, as any big concern. The fresh milk vendors had no desire to conflict with the prices fixed by the Milk Council, but they did not want the council to handle "their milk. Raw milk from the farm did not. lose its food value, as it would do if it was pooled, and it was the best milk for the public. In conclusion, the speaker criticiscd the power that was to bo 'given the council to borrow without limit in the form of special levies. "We don't stand for the pooling of milk because wo think it is robbing the public of tho best food available," he said. "Could Rot Carry On." Mr. M. P. Welsh supported these arguments, and said that the section of the trade which he represented was very concerned at the council asking for such extreme powers. It appeared that there were other interests affecting the council. The fresh milk suppliers were complying with the regulations of the Health Department and the Milk Council. The way that the fresh milk was being handled at present was the most economical way possible, but the men he represented would not be able to carry on if subjected to any further interference. It was felt that under the present Act the Milk Cotincil had adequate control. "Wo ask for your support in opposing what we think is unnecessary, unfair, unjust and uneconomic," he declared. Mr. Goldstine's Reply. In reply to the points made by the deputation, Mr. Goldstine asked Mr. Mills if he had not been told many times that there was no intention of pooling fresh milk, and whether he would be surprised to know that the only power the council sought to take in connection with the raising of a levy, which would not be collected, was for security purposes. The levy under the amendments was only for the purpose j of arranging temporary finance. Every; attempt had been made by the Milk j Council previously to make the position j clear to the deputation. Dealing with the complaint that under the amendments roundsmen would have no right of appeal, Mr. Goldstino said that that applied only after the purchase of a business by the Milk Council or after the payment by the council of compensation. Under that section the council had no greater powers than it had at present. If a roundsman was going to sell his round, the Milk Council, whose duty it was to arrange the economic supply of milk, wanted the first right to purchase that round if it so desired. It was not suggested that the'round should be sold to the Milk Council at a price less than that asked of any other buyer. "The only time when you have no right of appeal is when you want to sell," he said. There were smiles when Mr. Mills said that the Mayor's interpretation of the amendment did not suit him. "Costs More to Produce." Mr. Goldstinu said that the deputation had stated that the fresh milk suppliers were on high-priced land, and that they I could not compete with the farmers furI ther out, or, in other words, that it cost them more to produce. Mr. Mills: Yes, but combined with other circumstances. Mr. Goldstine said that under tho Act the council, in fixing the price to be paid by the public for milk, had to have regard to the cost of production. It would be admitted, therefore, that it was the farming of the high-priced land that was keeping thep rice of milk up for the public. Mr. Mills: No, sir. There are other points to consider. For instance, you have to allow for cartage. Mr. Welsh contended that the fact that the council was to be given the right of handling the whole of the milk amounted to pooling. "I take strong exception to the definitely misleading statements of deputations of this kind," declared Mr. Goldstine at a later stage. "I am sorry to have to be so strong on the matter, but they are definitely misleading." "Certain Powers Essential." In reply to a question by Mr. Mills as to whether he would support further interference with the fresh milk trade, Mr. Goldstine said that there were certain essential powers which the council would have to have to enable it to control the milk business of Auckland properly, and to ensure that the public got a high quality article at a reasonable price, and he would support anything that would enable that to be done. He would not support anything that would prohibit anyone from obtaining fresh mi'k at an economic price. Mr. Welsh said that he wished to correct a statement previously made that milk which,, had been pasteurised could not be delivered under a minimum of 24 hours for morning's milk. The time, he said, should be 12-.hours and not 24. When the deputation had retired the council, without discussion, decided to adhere to its previous decision concerning the proposed amendments.