"DANGER OF MILK FAMINE"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21534, 25 July 1935, Page 12

"DANGER OF MILK FAMINE"

CONCERN EXPRESSED AT invercargill CONTROL BY A COUNCIL RECOMMENDED (l-ZZLZ ASSOCTATZOX lELEOEAI:.) INVERCARGILL, July 24. The danger of a milk famine developing in Invercargill within the next six weeks was indicated in statements made by a deputation of retailers and wholesalers, which met the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. R. Masters) today. Concern was expressed at the position allegedly caused in the city by the disorderly marketing of milk, and price-cutting.

It was stated that there had been no inducement for near-by farmers to go in for winter milking, with the result that the retailers could not get sufficient milk to supply town consumers, and had been compelled to go further afield lor their milk.

One retailer said that whereas his normal winter requirements were 50 gallons or more daily, to-day the most he could get was 14 gaLons. So acute was the position last week that he endeavoured to make arrangements in Dunedin for an additional supply; but in this he was not successful. The position seemed to be that as soon as the retailers set a price reasonably remunerative to themselves and to the dairy men, fresh competition cut in at, lower prices, with the result that it was no longer worth while for anyone to specialise in organising a continuous miik supply. The deputation informed the Minister that it was intended to approach the City Council, to ask its approval for the setting-up of a milk council on similar lines to that established in Auckland. The .duties of this council would be to keep prices within reason, and ensure a regular supply. Mr Masters explained that the matter must be first dealt with by the City Council, and if that body approved, the proposal would entail the passing of local legislation, providing for the setting-up of a milk council.