SUPPLY CRISIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 271, 15 November 1943, Page 4

SUPPLY CRISIS

MILK AND CREAM

CONFERENCE ACTION

Problems created by restrictions on sale of cream were discussed this {s. laming at a meeting convened by the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. There were present representatives of all sections of the milk industry. A decision was made to set up a representative committee, which will investigate the matter- fully and report to another meeting. The chairman of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, presided. He said that a serious problem had arisen over rationing, and the council called for a report. The council decided to correlate the information, and see what was the best step to take. A letter had been sent to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Roberts, setting out the position. That was as far as they had been able to take the matter at the present time. The council was concerned with getting an adequate supply for consumers. It was necessary to look ahead, and the council was vitally interested. They had to consider the different sections, producers, vendors and consumers. He considered that the proper course was to call all interests together and discuss the position. It was necessary that all interests should be united in preparing and presenting a case to the Minister. He believed that the Government would be faced with the same position throughout New Zealand, as it Avould become a national matter. It was difficult to see the solution at the present juncture. He did not think that the ' Government had taken into account the effect that the restriction would ! have. He suggested that the commit- , tee should be fully representative of ( all interests concerned in making a ] case for presentation to the Minister, j Farmers' Costs I Mr. H. Lambie, speaking on behalf j of the producers, congratulated the t council on calling the conference, and r said that the consumers were going t to be affected as well as the pro- 1: ducers. He felt that long before the 1 butter ration came into force pro- a ducers were regarding the town 3 supply with disfavour. The restric- c tions were like "a last straw" in holding producers on town supply. It was felt that the producer had not had an adequate or fair share of the margin. The position was made more difficult by war time' costs of production. There were other factors, and farmers' costs were increasing. Mr. W. Marshall, representing the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, said that a crisis had been precipitated. If producers were to have a further loss they would have to consider whether they could stay on town milk supply. War circumstances had produced the situations, but adjustments were necessary to preserve the flow of milk to the city. It was quite evident considerable loss would be sustained by producers. He supported the proposal that a committee should be set up to get the necessary information. It would be a Dominion problem, and not easy of solution. Mr. A. U. Day presented figures on behalf of the Auckland Milk Company, Limited, and said that it was estimated, based on last shear's figures, there would be a loss of 1.280 d P~ r^ gallon on Milk, equivalent to 2.640 d per lb. on butterfat. Need of Figures Mr. Goldstine said that the matter would have to be submitted to the Government, and they would have to present figures to set out the position. They had to present a "castiron case," and he believed one could be presented. Mr. A. Thompson said 'that as the public was penalised by the loss of cream it would not be fair if they had to pay more for milk. It was decided to notifj r the Minister of the appointment of the committee and request him to advise whether he could meet the committee in Auckland at an early date. In the event of the Minister being unable to come to Auckland, it was decided the committee should .go to Wellington. The committee appointed consists of Messrs. H. Lambie, Auckland Whole-milk Producers' Association; C. J. Parlane, New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd.; W. C. Neil, Am'ourys-New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd.; A. U. Day, Auckland Milk Company, Ltd.; R. B. Stonex, Stonex Bros., Ltd.; J. Littlejohn, North Shore Producers' Association, Ltd.; A. Thompson, vendors' associations; I. J. Goldstine and A. S. Bailey, Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council, with Mr. N. R. Chapman as secretary of the committee.