MILK DELIVERY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15931, 19 June 1917, Page 9

MILK DELIVERY.

THE BLOCK SYSTEM. FAVOURED BY DAIRYMEN. A meeting of Ckristchurch dairymen was held at the Trades and Labour Hall last night, when the scheme for the delivery pi milk by the block system was considered at some length. Mr H. J. Bliss presided, and Mr A. W. Jamieson, chairman of the Industries Board, attended.

The chairman invited those present to express their views on. the scheme formulated. The Mayor and City Council, he said, were favourable towards it, and most dairymen to whom he had spoken on the subject supported it. In answer to a question from one of those present, the speaker said that under the schcme the price of milk would bo fixed by representatives of the dairymen in conference with the Council, and in the name manner complaints would be attended to and dcfects, wherever possible, remedied. . Mr Gi'imshaw asked whether dairymen working under the system would be' protected from municipal competition.

The chairman replied that it was improbable that the City_ Council would establish a municipal milk supply after the adoption of the proposed scheme.. Mr Jamieson said that it was necessary to have legislation to obtain for them power to prevent another concern serving in the same block as that allotted to one of the milkmen working under tho scheme. This, and other matters, such as _ overlapping, were receiving the attention of tho Industries Board. He did not think there would be much argument against the block system, for it would make for. efficiency, and economy in time and plant, and the dairymen, by the adoption of it, would not only be helping themselves, but also forwarding the national interests. At tho present time the dairymen could fix any price they liked, but under the block system it was probable that a reduction in price wonld be made. He believed that the price suggested under the schcme went rather to an extreme, it beine very low—7d a gallon, when at present thoy received 9d a gallon at the factory. In addition, the block system was going to release men. The Second Division of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Reserve was not very far distant, and dairymen were just as anxious to send their quota as were any other tradesmen. Mr Jamieson added that although Mr Bliss had been among a great many dairymen, it would be just as well to allow time in which to secure the definite support of them all, r,tid he therefore proposed that those present should express a desire that the Industries Board continue negotiations with the City Council for the establishment of tho block system of distribution of milk upon the conditions contained in the scheme submitted. The proposals contained in the scheme were read, tho chief of them being as follows: : "i-

(1) The Council shall adjust blocks in sizes for the'convenience of tho output applied for by the various dairymen who will apply for a license to deliver milk in their epecifio blocks. (2) A milk vendor shall receive a round equivalent, gallon for gallon, to his present output. (3) Any vendor knowingly Belling impure or adulterated milk may have his license cancelled by tho local governing body.' (4) To suiccrtaia the average amount of milk supplied to each houso, tho town would bo divided into, eay, eight different localities, and a census taken of the amount of milk delivered to 100 houses in each locality, the avorage taken Iby that 100 houses being regarded as the average taken by tho remainder of the dwellings in ■ each block. Having done that, and knowing the amount supplied by each dairyman, he would be allotted the number of houses equivalent to his present output. (5) No licenses for shops selling milk shall bo given or renewed, other than those confined to the selling of dairy produce. '

Mr J. Parrish moved, and Mr F. W. Trotter seconded, that tho block system bead opted. The motion was carried unanimously.

The chairman said that, more especially while the war was on, it would be advisable to form a strong association. Many of those present were Second Division men, and when these were called up, and exemption became necessary, an appeal from tho Association would carry greater weight than that from a single individual. Mr Jamieson said that the block system would necessitate the placing of the Christchurch Dairymen's Association on a really Kve footing. If a man served adulterated milk, for instance, the Association could confer with the Council and immediately remedy the trouble. Other details requiring rectification for the welfare of the trade could also bo attended to in this manner by a live Association. In regard to the calling up of the Second Division, ho said that a strong Association might be able to adjust the business of some of thoso called up, and thus make unnecessary any excessivo number of appeals. Mr Batley moved, and Mr Beckett seconded, that the Christchurch Dairymen's Association be put on a better footing. This was carried unanimously, and on the motion of Mr Beckett it was agreed that the minimum subscription should be fivo'sliillings per annum.