RATIONED MILK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 123, 26 May 1943, Page 4

RATIONED MILK

SUPPLIES REDUCED

TROUBLES OF ROUNDSMEN

Rationing of milk started in Auckland this morning, and housewives found they Had to make a smaller supply meet the family's daily need. The Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council had decided that a mild form of rationing was necessary, involving a reduction to householders, shops, retail dairies and milk bars, of between 5 and 10 per cent, but gave no specific directions to the companies or vendors as to the method of rationing. Thus the matter to-day was largely in the hands of the roundsmen, who did their best, but complaints were made. Complaints Investigated Officials of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council stated that during one hour this morning not more than six complaints were received, and all would be investigated. One complaint was that the cut had been up to 50 per cent. All the cuts had been left to the companies to arrange to the best of their ability, and some troubles on the first day of rationing were anticipated. There was no need for a cut greater than 10 per cent. It was stated that the position would be closely watched from day to day, and that the companies had agreed to apply the cut to milk supplied by them outside the metropolitan area, in order that all would be treated the same. Representatives of one of theAuckland companies said that everything had gone off as well as could be expected for the first day's trial of something new. They had not cut down supplies of milk • for infants, nor small quantities. There was difficulty in applying a 10 per cent cut in some cases, but everything possible was being done to meet the situation. They had to rely on their roundsmen to do the best that they could. They had had a number of complaints this morning, but not half as many as they had expected. On the whole it was felt that the cut had been well received. Probably a number of adjustments would have to be made. Might Settle Down Representatives of another Auckland company said they had a lot of complaints this morning, but it was felt that the position might settle down when the roundsmen got more used to it. From inquiries made it appeared that some ingenuity will be necessary to apply the cut. In the case of a wedding party or a large family gathering, a couple of gallons of milk might be ordered, and in such cases there would be no precedent as a guide. Under the rationing scheme supplies to hospitals, younger school children and the armed services are not affected, and it has been left to consumers to make special arrangements with vendors in the case of invalids and babies.