MILK CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 6

MILK CONTROL.

I am compelled oil principle to reply to the hostile statements made by Mr. G. W. Hutchison, as chairman, at a meeting of the Milk Council, and in doing so defend my association, known as the Auckland Fresh Milk Producers and Vendors' Association, who supply at least one-third of the milk consumed in the city and suburbs. The executive consists of the following: A. Cochran (Onehunga, vendor), M. Dunningham (P.V., Point Chevalier), H. F. Davis (P.V., Mount Roskill, secretary), G.' U. Gregory (P.V., Hillsboro'), C. Mills, P.V., Te Pa papa), C. M. Peck (P.V., Three Kings), L Romain (P.V., Panmure), G. G. Stone (P.V., St. Helier's Bay), M. P. Welsh, producer, Mount Roskill, president). On behalf of my executive I deny that theie has been any improvement in the milk supply in our section of the industry generally and we will accept nothing but official figures to convince us otherwise. The words used "bitterly hostile attitude to the monopoly powers asked for by the Milk Council" do apply to my association, in protection of our business, our properties, our consumers and our own freedom and rights. The remarks as to minority opposition are contrary to fact, as was proved in Wellington when evidence was heard last year by the Local Bills Committee, when Mr. Hutchison stated that the council was supported by the Auckland Whole Milk Producers' Association and stated they represented four-fifths of the trade. He was naturally contradicted, and the chairman had to intercede. I think I can safely say there was anything from 80 per cent of the industry represented to give evidence to oppose the extreme amendments. His further statement about resolutions passed at packed meetings, letters to the Fress, etc., are grave misstatements which the whole of my executive and association will deny. I also deny the statements made by Mr. Hutchison at the council's meeting on March 6 if he was referring to my association. Now, sir, as far as my- association is concerned, we have 110 fears of these monopoly powers being granted by Parliament, as the Local Bills Committee consisted of about half members of the last Government and half members of the Opposition which is now the Government, and we have a good idea of -what the committee thought of the amendments. M. P. WELSH. [The chairman of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council (Mr. G. W. Hutchison) said that the Executive Commission of Agriculture would be sitting in Auckland this week, and a full opportunity would be given to the Vendors' Association to give any evidence it desired. Mr. Hutchison adds: "I have looked up the figures, and in December the average 1 daily sales of milk were 19,018 gallons. The dairymen-vendors' production of this quantity was 3729 gallons, %r 19 per cent. In January the average daily sales were 17,591 gallons, and the dairymen-vendors' proportion was 3559 gallons, or 22 per cent."—Ed.]