CHEAPER MILK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 146, 21 June 1940, Page 3

CHEAPER MILK.

IN WINTER MONTHS.

MILK COUNCIL DECISION.

RESULT OF ZONING SCHEME.

Aucklanders will pay less for their milk from July 19 until September 30 this year, according to resolutions which were passed at to-day's meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. The meeting, which was presided over by Mr. E. J. Goklstine, was practically unanimous in its decisions, the outspoken dissentients oeing Mr. H. P. Burton and the president-of the Vendors' Association, Mr. J. flaslam. The reduction applies to the greater part of the city and suburban areas. The resolutions approved the bringing into conformity of prices in zoned and unzoned areas for the winter months. Milk vendors on and after July 19, may charge the following prices for milk: — Bought by the proprietor of a milk shop for resale in quantities of not less than 10 gallons a day, 1/8 a gallon; bought in quantities of less than 10 gallons a day, 1/9 a gallon. The retail price for loose milk will be Oid a quart and for bottled milk 7d a quart. For the North Shore the following prices were fixed: —Bought by milk shojw for resale in quantities less than 10 gallons in any one day, 1/8 a gallon. Result of Zoning. It was pointed out that there were 2.3 shops in unzoned districts and seven in zoned areas selling 10 gallons and more a day. The total number of shops was 320. In introducing the resolutions Mr. Goldstine said the matter had been discussed by the council at a special meeting and it had been decided that coincident with zoning retail prices should be reduced.

Mr. H. P. Burton said that prices should not be reduced without full consideration being given to the question of vendors' costs, and he moved an amendment that the matter should be! held over pending further information about costs. Mr. Haelatn said the matter should be left for the Price Tribunal to decide. Half a dozen of the vendors would make a loss of about £2 a week. "It is simply outrageous," he said. "It is a downright insult to the vendors, and I hope they go to the extreme in the matter." Mr. Goldstine said the council had decided to zone in accordance with the findings of the Price Tribunal, which had agreed to it for various reasons, including the conserving of petrol. Precedent Set? Mr. Burton objected to the proposed' prices on the grounds, of the principle involved which might affect other trades also by setting a precedent. "There is no danger of that," said Mr. Goldstine. "The vendors are adequately protected under the Act. They may appeal if they so desire." Miss Ellen Melville said if the object of zoning was not to reduce the costs, whv have it? That was what it was for. Mr. Goldstine said the claim that the new prices would represent a reduction of twopence in the vendors' margin the whole year round, as had appeared in a statement given to newspapers, was wrong. The real reduction would be only a penny a gallon over the year. The published statement, as given, was contrary to fact.

After some discussion in committee the council resumed in open meeting, and the amendment moved by Mr. Burton was lost. The resolution in connection with the new prices was carried, to come into operation on July 19.